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