Best Releases of 2011

With the start of something new, I suppose it is best to create one of those lists to reflect on the year as a whole. The blog's revival starts a new year and the start of a record label that wants to hear what you have to say. I also didn't include either of our releases due to the obvious bias. Here is my top ten favorite releases of 2011. I'd love to hear if you guys have similar artists on the list or what happens to be on yours. Happy new years everyone!

10) Jet Set Sail - Jet Set Sail Free
Look for these guys in the future. They've been playing a lot of shows with a lot of amazing bands, yet have somehow snuck under the radar too many times.

9) We All Have Hooks For Hands - Girls Free
A twenty seven piece band from Michigan. Okay, I don't think either of those are correct. South Dakota with 9 members that will make you feel really happy with upbeat good vibes.

8) Arrah & the Ferns - Soldier Ghost EP Free
Actually a pretty long EP. They've been up on my charts for a while but started listening to them rapidly after booking the first stop on their last tour. A lot of fun to see live, a lot of fun to listen to.

7) Mallard - Mallard "of the Thick" Free
This band brought some next level depth to my listening experience. I was hooked from the first song on this album and wanted more when it was through. I can't get enough of these dudes. They are even more fun live than listening home alone in your mom's basement.

6) You'll Live - Things Would Change If You Heard This Free
Non-generic stuff you can scream along to that people you hang out with probably won't know the words to so you'll end up feeling really awkward at shows.

5) Fucked Up - David Comes to Life Buy
I've heard this band's name so many times and passed it off as "one of those bands". I finally listened to them this year upon the release of this album and I regret all those times I failed to give them a chance.

4) Dowsing - All I Could Find Was You Free
Really, they are wonderful. I don't have much to say on them on why I like them because I like everything.

3) Joyce Manor - Joyce Manor Try/Buy
Did not disappoint, reminded me why I like Joyce Manor so much.

2) Algernon Cadwallader - Parrot Flies Try/Buy
Although Fun and Some Kind of Cadwallader hold a place in my heart, the album caught on quicker than most. I finally managed to see them live this year which is embarrassing.

1) Deer Leap + The World is a Beautiful Place & I am No Longer Afraid to Die Are Here to Help You Try/Try/Buy
This split was flawless. I blew off everything by TWIABP until I heard the songs off this split live. I've had this on loop for the last 2 months. Rediculous.

Best Releases of 2011

Blog Return 2k12

Hey! It's been a while, but I know you all missed me because of the mass of submissions that are still filling up the mailbox. Instead of emailing you back, I've starred every demo/album received. I will be posting the best ones occasionally in order to keep up with what this blog is about: promoting music. I mean, that's why we are doing the whole record label thing, right? The new deal is, send us submissions regularly to songsfromtheroad@gmail.com and if we like it, we'll post it. If we love it and see some potential, we might email you back in the future to talk business.

Some stuff that's going on with the label. We have released two artists, Tawny Peaks and Trophywife. You can listen and buy the two at the links below. We are really excited about how things are going and hope that you can continue to show your support. Some distro items will also be in the shop shortly as well from the UK. Keep up, we have an artist coming up that I think you guys are going to be incredibly excited to hear we are working with(because I sure am).

Anyways, check us out at the links below. Expect some more updates in and around 2012.

Facebook
Bandcamp
Store
songsfromtheroad@gmail.com
@songsfromroad

Lots of love,
Jesse <3

Blog Return 2k12

Important Announcement!

If you've been following any of our web 2.0 pages, you'll have noticed that we are in the process of converting from a music blog to a record label. After almost 5 years of running this blog, I've decided to take it somewhere further from the usual norm of posting music that I like.

So here's the deal. About a month ago, my friend Zach and I were talking and I brought up the fact that I wanted to start a record label. I realized that we are a great tag-team duo with skills and experience complimenting each other.

We are a no contract, no bullshit, completely DIY independent record label. We are incredibly accessible and love meeting others. If you have a question, demo, or inquiry then we'll definitely take a look.

Here's the meat of the news. We currently have two artists on our roster: Tawny Peaks and Trophywife, both with upcoming releases. You can check them out at our bandcamp below. So what's going to come of the blog after all of this? It's going to be somewhat regularly updated, hopefully somebody will be able to post frequently and take my place.

The RECORD LABEL url will be songsfromtheroad.com which for now re-directs to songsfromtheroad.blogspot.com. Our tumblr and twitter will be taken over and be used by the label only. We have a new fan page for the label which you should follow here.

I'm really excited how this is all turning out. There will be more updates soon, but for the most part, our new fan page will be the most of our updates until we can get a main page up.

Download our two artist's upcoming releases at our bandcamp for free for a limited time only!

Important Announcement!

Seymour Glass - Demo

Seymour writes wonderful acoustic songs and sings them. I found them from our friends at ohnoimlateforschool.com which is awesome because this artist is local to both of us in Lodi, NJ. I look forward to hearing more from him.

http://www.mediafire.com/?x9m9k426rzpdrmt

Seymour Glass - Demo

Relo - Sunplosion EP

Some chill alternative rock from Dallas, Relo is what I've been listening to for about a week straight or so. It's not something that I would normally listen to, but this week it somehow made my top pick. In other news, this blog is going to undergo a long awaited renovation soon with some exciting news awaiting. I recognize the lack of posting, but I have a lot of projects that I am working on that hopefully will counter-act number of posts that have been made.

http://relo.bandcamp.com

Relo - Sunplosion EP

Stable Boys - 2 tracks

Members of Snowing, Algernon Cadwallader, and Glocca Morra got together and formed a band. These are two tracks that they released 12 minutes ago.

http://stableboys.bandcamp.com/track/dionneing-it
http://stableboys.bandcamp.com/track/schwartz-illustrated-666

Stable Boys - 2 tracks

Tawny Peaks - Harris Harris Harris EP

If you were angry when American Football broke up in 2000 and are looking for a fresh approach then look no further. These Montclair natives are making a big splash in the local scene and have just released their first EP to start things off. It's not like the other loud, screamy, and twinkly bands I posted from the Montclair scene before but it is definitely worth checking out.

Download

Tawny Peaks - Harris Harris Harris EP

Topshelf Records - 2011 Label Sampler

Topshelf Records has a new compilation available now for free. All you have to do is give a "tweet" or a "like" in order to unlock the code to get it. If you are already a fan of Topshelf Records on facebook, you can go ahead and download it instantly. It involves the entire Topshelf family and even bands off friend labels. There are almost 69 tracks total(almost).

Download

Topshelf Records - 2011 Label Sampler

I Found This Song In The Road - A Mix To Make You Smile

I just dug up my 8 tracks account and found a mix that I made a while ago. It's intent was solely to make as many people smile as possible. The solution was to put all my favorite songs about positive and happy things. I hope you like it.

Check out my other mixtapes and this one as well!

I Found This Song In The Road - A Mix To Make You Smile

Andrew Bird Celebrates Brooklyn

It's seven pm in Prospect Park, Brooklyn and there's at least a mile-long line winding its way around a fenced off concert area. People are scattered everywhere on multicolored blankets having picnics while waiting for the show to start. Who's drawing all this attention? Why are people waiting in an absurd line to maybe squeeze into the fenced off area with the stage & booze stands? Andrew Bird is kicking off the start of the Celebrate Brooklyn free concert series in the park. If you're already a fan of this ridiculously talented Chicago-born and bred artist then there's no need for explanation as to why the line is so disgustingly long. 

   Bird, classically trained in the suzuki method, is a fabulous multi-instrumentalist and lyricist who adds quirky twists of glockenspiel, guitar and whistling to create unforgettably beautiful songs.
   It isn't until half past eight that Bird comes on stage and silence sweeps over the audience as attention is focused on the thin man with the violin center stage. He begins to play a few notes of "Why" and the bar was set high for the rest of the night. Every song Bird played either by himself or with his band "Bowl of Fire" was absolutely spell-bindingly brilliant. The song line-up for the night began with "Why" and was followed throughout the two hours with "Imitosis," "Plasticities," "Darkmatter," "Scythian Empires," "Tables and Chairs," "Effigy," "A Nervous Tic Motion of The Head To The Left" with many other tracks spanning all ten of his albums. Even though it was absolutely incredible experiencing him play live all the songs I've loved, it was a treat when he revealed he was going to perform a NEW SONG from his unreleased new album! The song is called "Give It Away" and it has a pop-ish, fun and light-hearted feel to it. Like most of Bird's songs, the lyrics hold real weight and end up giving the listener questions to ponder. Some may not like that quality of his music then some love it. If you are of the former group, then Andrew Bird may not be for you.
   Overall, this concert kickoff for the Celebrate Brooklyn series couldn't have gone any better. Andrew Bird put on a beautifully orchestrated, colorful and vivacious show. To check his new song "Give It Away" click on the link below. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e3lVO1jel8

Andrew Bird Celebrates Brooklyn

William Bonney - Kickstarter/Summer Tour

William Bonney has a kickstarter ending in 7 days to support their summer tour. It has 165 dollars left which is 23 dollars a day on average. These guys are great guys and are in a great band. If you want to help support them and grab some limited edition swag, now’s your chance. They’ll be going on tour regardless, but it would really be great to see them reach their goal.

Last night, I blogged this on our tumblr and reblogged on all my accounts. Overnight it jumped 60 dollars. I'm not taking credit, but that's awesome. Thanks for helping my friends out, guys!

William Bonney - Kickstarter/Summer Tour

Heather Maloney: A North East Gem

On the brightly lit stage of The Living Room (154 Ludlow Street NYC) surrounded by a broad range of instruments Heather Maloney begins to sing the melodiously playful and light-hearted song “Time and Pocket Change.” The lyrics bring about the nostalgia of childhood and memories of the simple things that made us happy that we perhaps forgot like making the most magnificent sandcastles and not worrying about their existence beyond completion. But it’s not only the fun lyrics or her guitar playing that captivates the audience, it’s also her unbelievably beautiful, smooth voice that plays with range in “Time and Pocket Change” yet is raw, passionate and soulful in “No Shortcuts.” Maloney’s voice is much like that of singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. Her recently released sophomore album titled “Time and Pocket Change” is a great collection of indie-rock songs. Take some time to listen to Heather Maloney’s fantastic new cd “Time and Pocket Change” at Heathermaloney.com. If you want to hear what musicianship is all about, I strongly suggest checking her out.

Heather Maloney: A North East Gem

Martin Luther King - Demo

This two track demo, from Connecticut's MLK is raw, effecting and brilliantly put together. And that is why it is my pick of the week. It has a lot in common with Kinsella bands while taking a harder edge, it also has the super 90s vocals-low-in-the-mix thing that I've loved for oh-so long. The songs have this frenetic urgency like they are somehow competing with themselves to fit as much emotion in as short a time as possible. And it works. Instantly arresting, my only complaint is that there isn't more.

Stream!

Martin Luther King - Demo

Shat Shorts - Seersucker and Sundresses

Hailing from Washington DC, Shat Shorts make hardcore with a experimental and electronic edge. Including members of the incredible Monument, with an impressive list of ex-bands such as Dawn Treader, Mob Attack, Hobis and loads more! Taking their cues from bands like Pissed Jeans (the clue's in the name), it's chaotic to the Nth degree with just enough discipline to stop them from climbing through your speakers and clubbing you to death with their instruments. I have no idea what the lyrics are, but they are sure are shouted with passion and an implied honesty. I like that. This six track release contains five slices of nutty hardcore with a side of dubstep remix. Not one for the dirty noise of dubstep, I didn't like that so much. But it sounds in line with all the other dubstep that I have heard so chances are that Shat Shorts are getting it right.

Download/Stream!

Shat Shorts - Seersucker and Sundresses

Suns - Three Songs

Suns are three guys from Connecticut who make honest punk flavoured indie jams. With a six track EP on the way, Three Songs is a taster of what's to come. And it's yummy too. The music is a bit more technical than it sounds, the sound is sparse and spacey but dynamic with it. My favourite track is Fuck Me While I'm Down, but all three are excellent pieces of indie rock joy. This will easily tide you over until the EP hits, so get it.

I still think the singer's voice is similar to Say Anything, even if Jesse disagrees!

Download!

Suns - Three Songs

You'll Live - Things Would Change If You Heard This

You'll Live is an punk, indie, emo band from South Florida. They aren't self-proclaimed in the get rad music scene yet, but give them time. They are similar to Our Sunday Affairs in sound and popularity. Just wait until these guys go on a tour outside Florida and they'll get huge. Trust me.

Download!
Stream/Download/Buy!

You'll Live - Things Would Change If You Heard This

Topshelf Records - FUCK OFF ALL NERDS Compilation

This is important! Our friends at Topshelf Records is doing a compilation for overall great guy and and supportive music enthusiast Mitch Dubey. Aside from having an unstoppable list of artists on it, it's for a good cause. It's definitely going to sell out with such a small pressing. Get on it and FUCK OFF ALL NERDS.

Topshelf Records is pleased to announce that they have started taking pre orders for a benefit compilation to support the Dubey family. For those unaware, one of the label's good friends (and a good friend to many other people), member of Swear Jar, and long time music enthusiast Mitch Dubey was tragically murdered in his New Haven, CT home in March of this year.

The compilation will feature live tracks recorded during My Heart To Joy’s final gig on May 14, 2011 from The Book Slave, Slingshot Dakota, Into It. Over It., Algernon Cadwallader, Snowing, Hostage Calm, Jettison and My Heart To Joy’s final set. Topshelf Records has planned a one time pressing of 500 12 inch records with all proceeds going to the Dubey family. For you vinyl junkies, the 500 records will be split between 125 Black, 125 Yellow, 125 Purple, and 125 Light Pink.

The album art was done by Ben Sears and each record will include a limited edition print by Juan Gabe (Comadre), Derrick Shanholtzer (The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die), Ryan Nelson (My Heart To Joy), Adam Vass (La Dispute), Kevin Duquette (Topshelf Records) & Ben Sears (Black God). Exact track listing is still TBA but all albums will come with downloads of each band's full set.

You can still make a donation to the Dubey family via paypal to Lauren.Dubey@gmail.com

Topshelf Records - FUCK OFF ALL NERDS Compilation

Watchword - Demo

Watchword consists of six members all around fourteen years of age. They are very talented musicians, especially for their age. The band comes out of the Montclair, NJ music scene which isn't very big so most of it sounds kind of the same. It's scramzy and teenage angsty. Definitely check out their demo which was recorded in about a day, but sounds pretty good as is.

Download!

Watchword - Demo

The Caution Children - Voynich Manuscript

I went through my email and found this gem in my inbox. I seem to have had it for around two months now, but it slipped under the radar(along with a lot of other stuff). It also seems that I got a rejection letter for Bonnaroo press passes. Anyways, I saw these dudes at Dex's house along with The World is A Beautiful Place and other rad bands. They came all the way from Florida and had toured Japan before that. They had this confidential folder that they handed me after I bought some buttons. Inside was a CD and some documents which turned out was the most awesome compilation ever. I'll probably post that sometime soon, but this song is going to be on their album UNKNOWN LANDS to be released June 29th. It's kinda screamo-y but is more atmospheric and dense.

Listen/Stream!
Download!

The Caution Children - Voynich Manuscript

Weird Korea - No Art//No Trade

Weird Korea are a weird band that's not from Korea. They are garage punk in the sense that they purposely lo-fi'd their noise on purpose in order to sound good. It sounds like they recorded this in a bedroom and ran it through rusted amps. I like it, though. They did a split with Spook Houses that you should also check out on their bandcamp as well.

Stream/Buy!

Weird Korea - No Art//No Trade

Algeron Cadwallader - Parrot Flies

Algernon's new album Parrot Flies just leaked seconds ago. This is supposably at Peter's request so I'm posting it. I was going to wait until June 1st to post more but this is too good to not. Listening now, it's so good.

http://www.mediafire.com/?uuw7wmmd1s0mc10

Algeron Cadwallader - Parrot Flies

Science Fair/Captain of Compliments - Split

Our friends from Science Fair are releasing a split with Captain of Compliments with friends from Kat Kat Records. They have 2 songs each Science Fair starting with a Trunks & Tales cover of The Importance Of Not Being Too Earnest before going into a new song with lyrics like "Listening to my the new Hightide Hotel, when did my favorite bands start selling pre-sale tickets" while they, themselves show their Hightide Hotel influences in this split. The cover was definitely a surprise throw-back to a song I haven't listened to in a while. I believe the lyrics of Previously on LOST is also referring to the pre-sale of Street Smart Cyclist while Hightide released their newest album in the weeks around then. Captain of Compliments definitely have to be from New Jersey which I can only guess because they seem to pull their influence deep within the swamps of Taking Back Sunday, Crucial Dudes, and Gaslight Anthem. They were a surprise, especially since I was drawn to this split through Science Fair.

The cassette is available for pre-order for only 4$ off DIY label Kat Kat Records. I suggest you support them. Science Fair is also playing my show in Kutztown, PA with The World Is, Mallard, Watchword, and Evan.

Pre-order!
Download!
Show!

Science Fair/Captain of Compliments - Split

Bad Banana - Crushfield

Bad Banana is part of P.S. Eliot with a more lo-fi sound. It's to my knowledge a 2-piece but I'm not sure. Regardless, it's great if you like P.S. Eliot which is pretty easy to do.

http://www.mediafire.com/?6adywmdy3r038ua

Bad Banana - Crushfield

ex wife - june ep

The EP that everybody's talking about right now. New Brunswick punk that gets kind of screamy at times. Melodic punk-core scramz rock salt. I don't really have to make up a genre for these guys, you can just listen/download for whatever you like at the link below and figure it out for yourself. It's real fresh and I'm pretty sure this is going to be their last release.

http://exwife.bandcamp.com/

ex wife - june ep

Tinyfolk - Discography (2005-2011)

Tinyfolk was a project that happened 2005-2011. Below you’ll find every song ever released.

Real Albums:
1. Thirty-Six Cat Songs (2005)
2. Love Doesn’t Grow on Trees (2005)
3. Platapeasawallaland: A Rainy-Day Owlbum (2006)
4. Bill (2007)
5. Sic Semper Equis (2008)
6. Black Bears (2010)

Real EPs:
1. Little Mice and Other Things That Go Skitter Skitter (2006)
2. Valley Forge split with Manipulator Alligator (2008)
3. Jack’s Broth (2008)
4. Steel Magnolias (2008)
5. The Things We Cherish are Small Indeed (2008)
6. Known New China (2010)
7. Oxbow Woods split with Wisdom Tooth (2010)
8. Incredible Snow (2011)

“B-sides” Albums & EPs:
1. Catfood Shotgun Goddamn (2008)
2. Look to the Sky EP (2008)
3. Remarkable Renewal of Your Body Hen (2009)
4. I Think I Am Becoming a Unicorn (2009)
5. One Day, These Children Will Be as Strong and Beautiful as Ourselves (2010)
6. Moth Hunting (2011)

Collaborations/Other:
1. Secret Folk collaboration with Secret Owl Society (2007)
2. A Football Fields - Battery Home EP collaboration with Mike Downey (2008)
3. Until the Very Last Moment score for Stephen Ray Morris short film (2009)
4. Dark Sun collaboration with James Eric/Garden on a Trampoline (2009)

SOURCE

Tinyfolk - Discography (2005-2011)

Park Jefferson - Discography

Park Jefferson is the aftermath of Nick Stutsman(ex Merchant Ships) trying to start a band called Cougar Season which never got legs. Thankfully, Park Jefferson has survived to 3 releases so far including an ep, an acoustic ep, and a split with Bicycle Sunday. They sound more like Midwest Pen Pals than Merchant Ships with Nick singing instead of Jack. I sort of feel an east coast sound as well. I don't know why this wasn't up earlier, but I keep not posting my friend's stuff which should be the obvious first choice.

Download everything for whatever you'd like here!

Park Jefferson - Discography

35 Conferrete - Day 2

Thursday was our first day of us covering the 35 Conferette here in Denton, TX. Words cannot even begin to describe how amazing it was. We saw 02D2, Mondo Drag, White Arrows, Analogue Rebellion, Achtone!, and Dr. Dog. We even rounded the evening out with the always fun Fishboy. We interviewed 3 members of Achtone!, and even Eric Michener(Fishboy himself).

The afternoon started at 4:30 when R2B2 took the stage. They are an experimental/folk/soul 2 piece from Denton. The singer, Ryan Becker, also plays guitar while Grady Sandlin is the man behind the drums. They sounded great during instrumental parts. It felt like two dudes just jamming and making great music. Ryan's unique vocal style really adds to the overall experience, and when he's just rocking out on guitar its obvious that he loves what he does. Goon, one of the songs from their new album, was one of my favorites. It uses their classic vocals paired with Grady's drumming style to create something that's really unique and sounds great.

After R2B2, we saw Mondo Drag from Davenport Iowa. Their genre is "Psychedlic Space Rock". They had radical keyboard effects going on, the whole band was just jamming as hard as possible at times. It sounded like 80's post rock but with an indie vibe to it. It rocked, but not in an overwhelming way. It worked out really well, and I look forward to seeing them when they come into town again.

White Arrows came next, and they were pretty awesome too. The lead singer was fun and had a great vibe going on with the crowd. Random band members played a communal drum. It was very creative and helped make the performance feel one of a kind. The keyboardist used a laptop for added sound effects, and it was pretty cool to see the use of technology in music. Imagine if the Beach Boys were to form today, and had a electronic sound. That's kind of what I'd describe it as. The vocals were pretty cool with an eclectic drummer. Everything combined to create one hell of a great show!

Analogue Rebillion was awesome too. Its the product of Daniel Hunter, from Aledo, Texas who calls its genre "Stadium Lo-Fi". It's probably the best way to describe the sound - Stadium rock, but with a lo-fi feel - I'd say. Daniel was having a great time on stage with his guitar. He danced around stage and just created an awesome feel for everything. The drummer was really getting into them music as well. Like White Arrows, Analogue Rebellion used a ton of technology in their music - even with an Imac on stage. Some of the songs felt really powerful, while others were incredibly relaxing.

Following Analogue Rebellion, we went to Achtone!'s show on the square. Their music is self described by their bassist, Hunter as "Psychedlic Space Rock". Think of Pink Floyd, but in 2011 and made in Denton. There you go! It was pretty cool, and they put on a great show. Easily one of my favorite acts of the evening. We actually did an interview with the band afterward at The Hydrant so look forward to reading more about this band.

After that was the main attraction: Dr.Dog. They were awesome, which is what you'd expect. It was just getting dark as they went on, so the lighting and effects were amazing. They rocked and the crowd was insane! Everyone enjoyed it, and their keyboards, vocals, and guitars all worked really well to create their blues-ish sound that most know.

After the Dr.Dog show, we spent some time talking to Eric Mitchener before his show. He was a really nice guy and told us tons of stuff about Fishboy's past, present, and future. We're still polishing up that interview too, but look forward to it in the next day or so.

Then we ate at Geo's Pizza and drank red bull before going to Fishboy's show.(Interlude)

Fishboy rocked so hard. Fishboy is the musical vision of Eric Mitchener and last night their bassist and drummer there to create the full band. He played Taqueria girl, Aaron The Astronaut, and a ton of songs from old albums. He jumped around on stage, the bassist grooved around, and the drummer drummed his heart out, and the whole crowd was dancing and head bobbing along with the music. It was extremely amazing! They really show what good music should be. Fun, whimsical, a little silly, and just genuinely entertaining. Dan's silver leaf provided a really intimate atmosphere and Fishboy really shined.

I'm totally exhausted from last night's craziness, and we probably won't be covering much(or anything) Saturday, but look forward to Sunday's events. Portugal the man, !!!, and some other awesome bands will be playing!

35 Conferrete - Day 2

35 Conferette - COVERAGE

Well, dudes and dudettes. Its time. Starting today, our coverage the 35 Conferete has begun. If you don't know what it is, it's an amazing music festival held in downtown Denton, TX. Think of it as a more laid back little brother to SXSW. He doesn't snort coke and play the electric guitar, but man does he love a nice joint and playing the cello.

There are a ton of awesome bands and artists performing. Fishboy, !!!, Portugal The Man, RTB2, Dr.Dog, Westboro Butchers, the list just goes on and even includes headliner Big Boi from Outkast. Seriously, check it out here. Its the first time Songs From The Road is covering anything like this, and we hope to be able to bring you more in the future. Expect more festival coverage over the summer.

I'll be writing a mini review about each concert I attend, and doing an overall review at the end of each day. We also have a photographer wandering about taking pictures, so look forward to those too. Oh, and I'm going to try to interview some bands and people. We will be having our first EXCLUSIVE interviews and hopefully some big names will want to talk to us.

If you are in the Denton, TX area, go check it out. Individual venues are selling tickets and wristbands are still on sale.

35 Conferette - COVERAGE

The Far Away Boys - Kyleigh's Flaw

The Far Away Boys are a pop-punk band from Central Jersey with a very 90s sound. It kind of sounds like 10th grade to me, but not mainstream. It's good standard pop-punk that sounds like New Jersey complete with sing-alongs and "na na na na nas". This is their debut EP Kyleigh's Flaw. I like the name because, being from New Jersey, I know Kyleigh's Law was dumb.

Free download!

The Far Away Boys - Kyleigh's Flaw

Pigeonholes - Demo

Chris from medium fidelity sent me the demo to his band Pigeonholes. They bring a nice indie/punk sound from Parkersburg, WV that I've never heard before.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1mjzmuj7s6dxwaa
2 more songs(Tapes)

Pigeonholes - Demo

Generic insight Radio Interview - The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die

Tune in RIGHT NOW as Generic Insight Radio interviews CT based The World is a Beautiful Place and I Am No Longer Afraid To Die (Ex-My Heart to Joy) at 5pm PT/8pm ET! Ask them stuff and things

www.yowie.com/show/280 5pm PT/8pm ET

Generic insight Radio Interview - The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die

Fishboy - Classic Creeps

Fishboy, a band set out of the incredible up and coming music scene of Denton, TX, is now taking pre-orders for their new album Classic Creeps. It fails to disappoint in the sense that Fishboy continues their tradition of every album they release being twice as awesome as it's predecessor. The album follows the storybook rock opera format similar to Albatross: How We Failed to Save the Lone Star State with the Power of Rock and Roll, but instead of focusing on the story, it focuses on the characters involved. "It's ten epic pop songs about ten characters who's lives are connected by a dense web of awesome." These "classic creeps" have a story told by a comic by Eric Michener(Eric Fishboy). The concept is that you can listen to the album while following along with the comic. In a sense, Classic Creeps is a musical comic book full of bubble letters, puffy clouds, and fun twee pop with a rock & roll indie approach. Perhaps it's better classified as a twee pop-erah. If Texas wasn't saved through roll & roll from Albatross, I think this one will help. steer things back on track.

The comic, FULL STREAM of the album, and pre-order information can be found here.

The pre-order packages are at the bottom and range from 12$ to get a vinyl and digital download to 50$ to get your face screen printed on the album cover as one of the "classic creeps" along with a middle package for 20$ that gets the vinyl, buttons, and a poster.

Fishboy - Classic Creeps

LUVSTEP: A Very Dubstep V-Day

I made a dubstep mix. It's my first attempt at this type of thing as I normally make non-electronica mixes. It's gonna be played Sunday at my dubstep event thing. Happy Valentine's Day! I hope you enjoy it despite some things not flowing as properly as I'd like them.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ph6bb9860mkypu5

LUVSTEP: A Very Dubstep V-Day

Coping & Clippers - Signed to Topshelf Records

Coping has been recently signed to Topshelf Records along with The Clippers

Topshelf Records is extremely excited to announce two new additions to their growing roster.Coping (Chicago, IL) and The Clippers (Boston,
MA) have teamed up to releasing a split 7 inch / Digital EP in late March. The EP will feature brand new tracks from each band and is up for pre order from Topshelf Records right now. The first pressing will be limited to 500 and split between Black, Gold, Green, and White vinyl.

Track Listing is:

Coping
1. Stoopin'
2. F For Now

The Clippers
1. Fur
2. That's No Me

The Clippers, who are a two piece band, formed in September of last
year and have been gaining fans since with their high energy pop rock.
Coping, who is better known for their emo/punk style, released a 6
song cassette call Lawndale in september of last year. Both bands will
be hitting the road together in April in support of the release.

Useful links:
Coping - http://coping.bandcamp.com
The Clippers - http://theclippers.bandcamp.com
Pre order - http://www.tsr-store.com

Coping & Clippers - Signed to Topshelf Records

The Taxpayers - To Risk So Much For One Damn Meal

I didn't want to destroy the integrity of this email that I received from The Taxpayers because they definitely described the album better than I could have ever. Despite the awful format of the email and highly overused underlines, bolds, and punctuation, the album/band is incredibly awesome. They are goofballs, but they can make really good music so it's alright with me. Definitely check it out! It's on Quote Unquote Records so you know its good and you know it's free.

How are you on this splendid February day??? I am writing to you on behalf of my band The Taxpayers (a DIY punk band from Portland, OR) from inside a storage contained in Florida! We moved here for the winter as snow birds and live in our practice space/storage container deemed "The Pauly Shore". It's a modest place. We also bring other news! We recorded our third and newest full-length album and I am submitting it to you for your listening enjoyment (or disgust)! It is titled: To Risk So Much For One Damn Meal. I remember y'all posted our last album up and I wanted to pass this along to you! Thanks for all the kind words last time!!!! Thanks a million.

This sucker took nearly a year to complete, and was recorded everywhere from Minneapolis to Portland, in houses, warehouses, parks, and even in the preschool classroom where Rob Taxpayer teaches (elementary school pianos have a special sound, ya know?). It's got a bunch of different sounds going on, what the Free Music Archive calls, “a Beck-like license to strip two vast histories of sound down to their barest essentials, and mix them back together into super-catchy, genre-bending anthems about failed revolutions and lives well wasted”. This album's got bluegrass, ragtime, swing, 80's hardcore, blues, and a little Springsteen-esque nostalgia.

The best part is this, in my opinion. To Risk So Much for One Damn Meal is getting released in 4 different formats. The super awesome legendary punk label Plan-It-X Records (home of Japanther, Kimya Dawson, Andrew Jackson Jihad, This Bike is a Pipe Bomb, and a hell of a lot more) is releasing it on vinyl and CD, Tiger Force Ultra is releasing it on cassette tape, and of course, Quote Unquote Records (Bomb the Music Industry!) is releasing it for free/donations. Our label, Useless State, is releasing it as a ZINE. Novelist/zinester/painter Keith Rosson has designed the zine, and it includes essays, science experiments, song explanations, and more, and the last page contains a sleeve for the CD.

We're really proud of this album and I hope you enjoy it! Here is a link to the album (complete with spelling errors and song explanations!)

Download!

Live video!

The Taxpayers - To Risk So Much For One Damn Meal

Tee Shirts For Sale

On top of the zine, I am also taking pre-orders for this shirt printed black ink on white shirts for 8 dollars(shipping included) The organization I run is called SOCC(Student Organized Culture Committee) so the SOCC monkey is a play on words. More specifically, it's Kanye West as a "SOCC monkey". Order before 2/13/11, they will ship out before 2/27/11.

Buy it here!

Tee Shirts For Sale

Songs From The Road Zine Edition #1

If you're wondering what I've been up to besides not updating here, I've been focusing almost all of my attention to either this zine, schoolwork, or the club that I run here on campus. Good news: it's finally done and it looks fantastic.

It includes submissions from readers like you, friends of mine, people on campus, and various other places. It is being released on Wednesday on campus, but it is already for sale online. I'm excited to say that it has over 60 pages of content of various drawings, music reviews, photos, poems, and more.

I'd be stoked if you guys bought it. It's 3 dollars which barely covers shipping domestically and anything I do make goes to the club I run to bring concerts and cultural events to campus. If you can't afford it, I'll be happy to send you a digital copy for free or whatever you can pay. Email me with problems or anything at songsfromtheroad@gmail.com. I plan on posting more now, but I've said this so many times so just keep checking back and thanks for continuing to follow me during this period of writer's block.

Buy it here!

Songs From The Road Zine Edition #1

Generic Insight Radio Fest 2!

Black Numbers and Academy Fight Song/Mightier than Sword are pleased
to announce the second Generic Insight Radio Fest on Friday March 11
and Saturday March 12. Comprised of 31 bands on two stages spread
over two days, the event celebrates DIY punk, indie, and hardcore at
Brooklyn's Party Expo. Friday's set will feature Iron Chic, Soul
Control, Daytrader, and Spanish Gamble, while Saturday's lineup
includes Mikey Erg, Another Breath, and a rare appearance by NYC
veterans Grey Area. Tickets are available at www.theblacknumbers.com.

Friday March 11
Doors 7 Show 7:30
$12
Censors
Like Wolves
Oak and Bone
Ghost Robot Ninja Bear
Banquets
Mayflower
Spanish Gamble
Soul Control
Daytrader
Slingshot Dakota
Iron Chic

Saturday March 12
Doors 1:00 Show 2:00
$15
The Stereo State
Paul Blest
Restorations
Luther
The Holy Mess
The Great Explainer
Highlites
Caleb Lionheart
Nightmares For A Week
Static Radio
We Were Skeletons
Timeshares
Big Eyes
Mikey Erg
The Saddest Landscape
Go Rydell
My Heart To Joy
Another Breath
Snowing
Grey Area

Friday, Saturday, and $25 weekend passes are available at theblacknumbers.com

Party Expo
929 Broadway
Brooklyn, NY

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=194125477268778
freewebs.com/genericinsightradio
mtsrecords.com
academyfightsong.com
theblacknumbers.com

Generic Insight Radio Fest 2!

Generic Insight Radio - Schedule

Barrie from Generic Insight Radio has been hosting really fun shows with rad bands like Former Thieves, Hostage Calm, Snowing, Coffee Project, Attica! Attica! and more.

It's basically bands web-chatting with awkward punk kids. It's really amusing to watch, and pretty interesting to hear what people have to ask. Here is the upcoming schedule:

Broadway Calls, Wed. Jan 12 at 5pm PT/8pm ET: http://www.yowie.com/show/1rt

Ty Vaughn from Portland, OR based Broadway Calls (SideOneDummy) is in the midst of writing their 3rd full length. I caught one of their new songs at Fest 9 and I'm definitely excited to see what their new bassist can bring to the table.

Comadre, Thurs. Jan 13 at 7pm PT/10pm ET: http://www.yowie.com/show/1rr

I love this band/Jack.

Daytrader, Tues. Jan 18 at 6pm PT/9pm ET: http://www.yowie.com/show/1qh

Tym and Gary from NY's Daytrader join GIV and yowie for a very special EP release show!

Another Breath, Thurs. Jan 27 at 5pm PT/8pm ET: http://www.yowie.com/show/1rp
Syracuse, NY hardcore band Another Breath was recently featured on the "Don't Hang Out In Front of the House" compilation and continue to make music through Panic Records. Come talk to them about stuff.

Look out for a new series called "Shultz vs."(starring Erica Shultz) featuring: The Riot Before, Casey Jones, Reviver, The Dopamines and Shai Hulud!

Generic Insight Radio - Schedule

Top Albums of 2010

This year's been overall pretty good when it comes to albums released. Unlike last year, I actually had to weed some out and had somewhat of a hard time making decisions. It seems that there were a lot of releases in the past month which made this year awesome. Along with the string of shows Christmas week, I'd say that it would be easy to make a top 10 releases/shows of the month. Instead, I decided to extend it to the year.

List by Jesse Warner

10. Nana Grizol - Ruth

Of course anything by Nana Grizol would have made the list. Though it wasn't as good as Love It Love It, it was by no means a bad album. In fact, it was a very good album. It was good enough to make number 10 on the list, that is.

9. 1994!- FCKRHED

These Lancaster natives snuck into the number 9 spot on my list while receiving heavy play shortly after purchasing their tee shirt. They would probably be higher on the list if I heard about them sooner. I'm pretty sure it's they are a two-piece, but I know I'm sure that they are pretty rad.

8. We Were Skeletons - We Were Skeletons

Also from Lancaster, this band has more than two people in it. They play a lot of mathy stuff that's really loud and screamy. There's none of that noodly nonsense, just straight up farm-land angst.

7. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt

I am constantly blown away by The Tallest Man On Earth, and this album left nothing towards disappointment. Getting back to my folk roots, this album is perfect for fall and winter and I can't get enough of it ever.

6. You Blew It! - The Past In Present

There was a time shortly after it came out when I would listen to nothing but this album. I don't even know what it is, but I really like it a lot. It's for name your own price on bandcamp.

5. Mane Horse - What Do You Mean We're Just Friends?

This band is criminally underrated and is from Fresco, California both of which kill me. One because they deserve to get more popular, and two because I'll never see them live because they aren't big enough to tour the east coast yet. I can't get enough of these dudes since their demos came out and their EP was even better. It's for free and we wrote about them a while back.

4. Midi & the Modern Dance - Make It Easy On Yourself

Howdy, Connecticut. This group has some serious potential to be the biggest thing on the planet. They have a lot of sounds going on in this album and are seriously nice people. It's a win/win combo that can get them places. This album is phenomenal and for name your own price on bandcamp.

3. Merchant Ships - For Cameron/Shipsography

Okay, I really like Merchant Ships. I'm not going to lie, I was going through some serious stuff the day For Cameron came out and I cried while listening to it. It helped me feel a lot better and although it's not my favorite musically, it really is an emotional album. Shipsography also came out this year so I can also add that to the list. You can get that here.

2. The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - Formlessness

Flawless. A good album to me is something that plays straight through effortlessly. Not only does this release do that, but is a phenomenal listen. I believe I had over 20 listens on each track the day it came out. Great release, even better live. You can get it free here because they are out of free downloads on bandcamp.

1. Snowing - I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted

Yes, Snowing took the #1 spot on the list. Usually I get bored of albums after a couple weeks, but they never got old. In fact, I listened to it more and more as the year went on. Better yet, it's free on CYLS!

Runnerups:
The Please & Thank Yous - Mind Yr P's & Q's

Bars Of Gold - Of Gold
Malegoat - To Face The Music
Grown Ups - More Songs
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Clarissa explains It All - TDK 3DEP
William Bonney - Fall Demo
Velociraptor - Spring '10 Demo
Park Jefferson - Childhood
Corcovado - Spring Baked 2010
Trunks & Tales - Standing Still Fast
P.S. Elliot - Living In Squalor
Candy Hearts - Ripped Up Jeans & Silly Dreams

List by Donavon of thisisemo.tumblr.com

1. Monument - Goes Canoeing
2. Everyone Everywhere - Everyone Everywhere
3. The Tallest Man on Earth - The Wild Hunt
4. The Reptilian - Full Health
5. Calculator - These Roots Grow Deep
6. Superchunk - Majesty Shredding
7. Annabel - Here We Are Tomorrow
8. Castevet - The Echo And The Light
9. Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
10. 1994! - FCKYRHED

Honorable Mentions:
Joie De Vivre - The North End
Merchant Ships - For Cameron
Snowing - I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted
Footnotes - Summer Shit
Hightide Hotel - Nothing Was Missing, Except Me
The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - Formlessness

List by Kristina Boston

10. The Head and The Heart - The Head and The Heart
9. Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
8. The Black Keys - Brothers
7. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt
6. Dylan LeBlanc - Pauper’s Field
5. Spoon - Transference
4. The National - High Violet
3. Of Montreal - False Priest
2. Cee Lo Green - The Lady Killer
1. Arcade Fire- The Suburbs

List by Isaac Tyler

(No particular order)
David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love
Daughters - Daughters
The Black Keys - Brothers
The Acacia Strain - Wormwood
Direct Hit! - #5
Los Campesinos! - Romance is Boring
Murder by Death - Good Morning, Magpie
Nana Grizol - Ruth
Paul Baribeau - Unbearable
Titus Andronicus - The Monitor

List by Roberto Faust

10. Das Racist - Sit Down, Man

All tan word association hip hop lyrics to mouth pretentiously while wearing badly-laced boots and levis.

9. Burzum - Belus

Black metal to finally see the light from a dark place you’ll never be able to escape from.

8. Beach House - Teen Dream

Beachwave dreampop chillgazey music by this chill bro and a chill altbroad who are cute.

7. Wavves - King of the Beach

Surfey fuzzy beach jams for chill bros who like to puff mad dank.

6. Crystal Castles - Crystal Castles II

Energetic dark electronica to have sex to by some keut black-haired broad and a hairy toucan.

5. Salem - King Night

Syzzurp-soaked witch-house//grave-wave//ghost-step//tomb-rave//▲ℑ†-gaze

4. Best Coast - Crazy for You

Have you ever been a sad lil girl who just wants a nice boyfriend, and has cats, and smokes dank, and luvs california? no? me either, this is still a boss fuzzy-buzzy beachwave album.

3. Ceremony - Rohnert Park

What grit and shards of glass would sound like if they made a hardcore punk band in an infected scrape you got because you got struck in a hit-and-run by a cop car.

2. Sufjan Stevens - The Age of Adz

Electronic departure from sufjy’s usual style, amazing, eclectic, and beautiful, as per usual, sufjy 4 ever.

1. jj - jj n° 3

Swedish dreampop bedroom wave tunez.

List By Zach Aaron Goldberg

10. acres. - Silos
9. 1994! - FCKYRHED
8. The World Is A Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid To Die - Formlessness
7. Merchant Ships - Shipsography
6. Hightide Hotel - Nothing Was Missing Except Me
5. The National - High Violet
4. We Were Skeletons - We Were Skeletons
3. The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt
2. Midi & The Modern Dance - Make It Easy On Yourself
1. Snowing - I Could Do Whatever I Wanted If I Wanted To

List By Olivia Hinojosa

(In no particular order)

Sufjan Stevens - Age of Adz/All Delighted People EP
Andrew Jackson Jihad/The Gunshy split
Midi & the Modern Dance - Make it Easy On Yourself
Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
We Were Skeletons - We Were Skeletons
One Hundred Flowers - Mechanical Bride
Snowing - I Could Do Whatever I Wanted if I Wanted
The Tallest Man On Earth - The Wild Hunt
Danger Mouse/Sparklehorse - Dark Night of the Soul
Tunng - ...And Then We Saw Land

Top Albums of 2010