Kanye West and...Bon Iver?!?!

Yes, Kanye West and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver have been working together on some tracks. We're just hearing the first of this collaboration with the leak of "Lost in The World." The song features Kanye rapping over the auto-tune song "Woods" by Bon Iver. Gil Scott-Heron is also featured on the track. Get it for FREE here.

-C

SKINS Season 5 Update

That's right, the notorious British TV show Skins is currently filming its fifth season. Words cannot describe how phenomenal this show is in all its raving, tripping, crazy glory - you just have to watch it, tosser. I know I sound just a tad obsessed (as any Skins fan does), but once you start watching, you'll get what I mean.... yah?

Anyways, onto the news:

Skins just finished filming the opening sequence of Season 5. Tal Rosner, who made the opening sequences for Seasons 1-4 is back again, so we can expect some aaamazing graphics, overlays, editing, and effects. This man is spectacularly talented. His title sequence for Season 1 (shown below) won a BAFTA award in 2007. Let's just hope Fat Segal (aka just "Segal") will supply the intro music again.

Also, Skins is up for "Best Digital Choice" in the National Television Awards. So show your support and vote here!

-G

Jonsi Concert October 19th

The former lead singer of the Icelandic band Sigur Ros will grace us with his beautiful falsetto voice and his apparently blind right eye on October 19th, 8 pm at the Oakland Fox theater. His most popular single as a solo artist, Go Do is used in the recent trailer for The Social Network, a story about the founder of facebook who interestingly enough lived in a house off of Valparaiso in Menlo Park for two years. weird.



-S

# 4

 Dan Black Kid cudi- symphonies dada life remix

 Snoop Dogg Kid Cudi- That tree (star guitar mix)

Ellie- Starry Eyed Remix

All Good things come to an end- Nelly Furtado/ 2pac

 miike snow- animal (pump mix)

The Kids dont stand a chance- Vamprie Weekend vs. Miike Snow

p.s. use http://www.dirpy.com/ to download

Das Racist: Goofy or Profound

Das Racist is a self-discribed "Weed Edge/Hare Krishna Hard Core/Art Rap/Freak Folk Music Trio." Whatever they are, they're getting plenty of attention. Their lyrics are seemingly inane, but their song "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell" has been credited as "meditation on consumer identity" by Death and Taxes magazine. Spin even said that they "drop nuggets of sharp social commentary," but you wouldn't be able to tell at first listen. 

Check out their new album Sit Down, Man which has, believe it or not, received critical support some seasoned and more serious bands lack. With a Best New Music title from Pitchfork, they'll surely be going somewhere. It seems that their lack of seriousness is taking them places.

They've given out their album FOR FREE right here.

-C

Pomplamoose...

If you like The Bird and the Bee you will most likely love pomplamoose. The duo consists of:

Jack Conte- Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
Nataly Dawn- Dying to Live

they primarily do cover songs but have their own songs as well...

so in honor of yesterday the 21rst of September...

- F

Good Morning Benders

It's only 12:20 AM but I'm going to call this morning anyways since I am trying to find other things to do besides homework/I'm not cool enough to come up with a better title. Anyways, circa 18 months ago as I was checking out some of the lesser known artists on the Outside Lands '09 line-up I came across a local band called The Morning Benders and was hooked.

Morning Benders at Outside Lands '09

Check out their latest free download, a cover of Paul McCartney's "Ram On" here (bottom left hand corner of the page). It has elements of their usual upbeat-ish, folky work but there's a haunting quality to it that results from random electric beats, rhythmic clapping, and a new eerie quality of Chris Chu's vocals that'll send some shivers down your spine (nice alliteration right?). Also, they just released their sophomore album Big Echo a little while back so check it out (fave song = Excuses)!

-G

P.S. Word of warning: If you ever see the band live, expect great music but some awkwardness (a quality that's amplified should you meet them and ask for a picture... right F?) 

Indie & Electronic Stars Release New Records

Superchunk, one of the oldest and most respected indie bands out there, just released a new album called Majesty Shredding. It's been almost a decade since they've made a record, but it's received some good reviews. Be sure to check out the new album and see them at Treasure Island.

Flying Lotus seems to have taken hold of the indie-electronic scene with ease. He tossed out a full-length Cosmogramma, which got amazing reviews. Within months of this release, he's already put an EP out called Pattern + Grid World. If you're at all interested in electronic, Flying Lotus is the best choice out there right now.

-C

Free Hoodies

I apologize in advance for what will be a very short post, but I would just like to say that everyone should be aware that the New York rapper Hoodie Allen has put out a FREE mixtape, called "Time for the Pep Rally." He samples from musical heavyweights like the Black Keys, Marina & The Diamonds, and the Cold War Kids and puts it with his own raps.... rhymes? lyrics? Whatever it is, it's creative and it's free, and mine is downloading right now.
And yeah, he's white. I'm sorry, is that an issue?

"Understand that, tryin' ta live a life that might never arrive at the Amtrak,
So many people want it, and it's jampacked."

Tighten Up (the Black Keys) by Hoodie Allen



Download the mixtape here.
-K

calvin harris: the man, the myth, the scottish electropop god

Europeans know their music. While teach me how to dougie and cyclone are the ballads of American dance floors... the European clubs are blessed with Calvin Harris "the king of electropop"... I came across his music when I heard deadmau5's remix of his song I'm not alone (the original is good as well)... check it

 Calvin Harris- I'm not alone Deadmau5 remix

Calvin Harris- Flashback

Calvin Harris + Dizzee Rascal - Dance wiv me

Calvin Harris - born in the 80s

 Calvin Harris- Acceptable in the 80s

F

Fall Fashion Faves Pt. 2

As temperatures drop, my list of fall favorites increases. And to strike you into the right fall mood, I recommend listening to "Sleep Tonight" by Stars while reading this. 

Girls 
Floral lace tights - Not too hot, not too cold. Stick to darker colors  (they look classy AND sassy, plus bonus points for making your legs look longer!): Black is basic, burgundy, and dark blues, purples, and greens could be interesting choices too. (Urban, Haight, F21, Nordstorm's, Bloomies, etc.)

(a few of many I have)

Scarves. I am fairly sure I wrote in one of my journals a couple years ago something along the lines of: "Current obsession? Scarves." Why share such an embarrassing musing? Because the obsession holds true today as it did that lovely summer afternoon. (Yes I love scarves so much I wear them in the summer). Anyways, now that fall is approaching I have even more reason to wear them - and you do too :) (Anthro, Urban, Zara, Tibetan Handicrafts, any ethnic store, EVERYWHERE)

 
Cotton (jersey) blazers - As cozy as a sweatshirt but with a cleaner line and a sense of sophistication. Pair with a tank and skinny jeans, tall boots and a floral dress (opposites attract), or an over-sized t-shirt, shorts, and tights. Feel polished but not pretentious and comfy but not careless. (Urban, Zara, TopShop, Dorothy Perkins, H&M)


Guys
(both of these should be easy to find) 


Leather jackets. One word: bad-ass.

Oxford shoes. Classy and durable, beats a Nike sneaker any day, yah?

-G

#3 canciones de la semana...

Peacock- Katy Perry MIa Morreti MIX

Walking on a dream- Emprie of the sun Remix

 Tigersapien - God Knows (Kolt13 Remix)

HIlltop Hoods- Nosebleed Section

Hey, They Don't Love Ya Like I Love Ya

Listenin' to Lissie

I'd like you to meet Elisabeth Maurus, goes by Lissie, and hobbies include putting out some un.be.liev.ab.le. music, as well as being a bad-ass. If there's one artist to add to your all-time favorites, it's this girl. I feel like her songs will speak for themselves, but here are a few key facts you should know in order to understand the complete package that is Lissie.

1. She was expelled from her high school as a teen, and still won't tell us why.
2. She's opened for Lenny Kravitz & Joshua Radin, to name a few.
3. She's been remixed by Deadmau5.
4. Her debut CD, Catching a Tiger, just came out this year.
5. Her voice has been compared to a folksy, huskier, Stevie Nicks.

Best advice you will get today: download all of the songs below by right clicking the green links and Downloading Linked File. seriously.

In Sleep (Live) by Lissie

Pursuit of Happiness (Kid Cudi Cover Live) by Lissie

Little Lovin' by Lissie


-K

Matt & Kim Release Album Cover & Tracklist

Everybody's favorite couple-band-duo, Matt & Kim, just released the album artwork and tracklist for their third LP SIDEWALKS which should be coming November 2nd. As we can tell from their single Cameras, their sound has changed drastically. And you may have noticed that the album is blue unlike their signature orange album covers.


But don't worry, I still see some flecks of orange in that cover, and given their lyrics and album title, Matt & Kim haven't changed too much.


01 Block After Block
02 AM/FM Sound
03 Cameras
04 Red Paint
05 Where You're Coming From
06 Good for Great
07 Northeast
08 Wires
09 Silver Tiles
10 Ice Melts



-C

Exorcism, Roofies, & Old Ladies. Oh My...

I don't know about you guys, but when I listen to songs, I have this strange habit of creating music videos for them in my head. So, when I heard Low Shoulder by Toro y Moi, I instantly began picturing a nighttime carnival scene, with sped-up footage of people on rides, eating cotton candy, having fun, with lots of flashing lights. Don't judge my daydreams. But anyway, I was basically just imagining something to match the upbeat and fun vibe of this song. 

From this youtube you can probably figure out that I don't direct Toro y Moi's music videos. Nor do I condone dining alone in questionable establishments.

Freaky indeed. At least I got the flashing lights part right. That being said, it's still a pretty good song.
-K

Ray Lamontagne's new album: 'God Willin' And The Creek Don't Rise'

I LOVE Ray Lamontagne... before you even continue reading this go buy his previous albums (trouble, till the sun turns black, and gossip in the grain) and his new album God Willin' And The Creek Don't Rise'. He has a very folk/country sound, i don't even know how to explain it but his voice is soooo relaxing. Off his new album i suggest: Like Rock and Roll & Radio, Beg Steal or Borrow, This Love is over, and New York City is Killing Me

to quote my friend anya, "...all of his songs are like the soundtrack to my soul... if you are not moved by his songs and his voice, then you are not human." ... my sentiments exactly

F

Flashback of the Week

I've been getting into the Swedish sibling-duo The Knife recently, especially their 2006 album Silent Shout. Their electronic music is simple, but they often layer their songs with different synth lines on top of with the the sister's signature, distorted voice. The album won 6 Swedish Grammys, and in 2009, Pitchfork ranked it the 15th best album of the 2000s.

But the album's most accessible song, We Share Our Mother's Health, retains the feel of the album while still being an electro-pop song at heart, which you'll notice when it kicks in about one minute through. The video's a trippy, edited version of their live show. Check it out:

And for Ratatat fans, here's the their remix of the song, hope they play it live this Friday. The video's made by Motomichi Nakamura, who put together a simplistically erie animated production:



-C

The Misery of Diplo

Generally: I like the song Misery by Maroon 5

Specifically: I love the dubstep-ish remix by Diplo of Misery by Maroon 5

The bass and chorus line are catchy. Diplo, aka M.I.A.'s ex, had me humming this all monday and tuesday to the annoyance of those around me. The best part about it is that it's just versatile enough to be both a daytime/drive to school song and yet once it reaches 1:15 it's also a great track for any party cd. Too bad it's still Tuesday.

Misery (Diplo Pet Me Out of My Misery Remix) by Maroon 5

-K

#2 5 nice listens of the week...

Pumped up kicks- split second ft. loggy

Noah & the Whale- Shape of my heart

Mumford & Sons- Little Lion Man

Land of the Talk- Quarry Hyms

White Lies- Death (Crystal Castles mix)

Spotlight: Penguin Prison

Electro-pop beats, catchy lyrics, and rich vocals make this one-man band a must-hear. Chris Glover aka Penguin Prison has a repertoire that can only be described as a smorgasbord of unlikely musical wanderings - from singing in a gospel choir con Alicia Keys to forming a college band called Smartest People at Bard to an almost-but-not-quite hip hop career and finally to the glory that is Penguin Prison.

PP has only released four original songs (A Funny Thing, Animal Animal, Something I'm Not, and The Worse It Gets) but has remixed everything from Passion Pit to Kylie Minogue. Download a few free tracks here and listen to my personal favorite, A Funny Thing below:



-G

Blalock's Back to School

Attention cool cats! Blalock's September playlist is here! For those new to Blalock, or BIRP (blalock's indie rock playlist,) it is a monthly free gift of lovely new indie songs. There are always some fantastic nuggets of musical gold to be found by sifting through the entire list, but considering the whole thing is normally around 7-8 hours in listening time it can also be quite tedious. So, just for you, condensed but not from concentrate, IMA's favorite new BIRP songs:

Germany Germany by 120


English Garden by Like Pioneers


Too Safe by Alpine


Julius by Starfucker


Stand in the Water by Wildlife


The End of The World is Bigger Than Love by Jens Lekman


And then these, whose mp3s I couldn't find but definitely worth a listen if you get a chance:

Ending Soon by Winter Gloves

Summer Eyes by Tyler Lefebvre

These Hands by The Belligerents
-K

Look At This Kid

Who doesn't love Kid Cudi? Let's be honest here, it's hard to find a musically inclined teenager who finds problems with Kid Cudi's music. We like him so much, we'll even let him punch us!! No really...

"Kid Cudi escaped being charged with a crime when a fan the rapper punched at a concert declined to press charges. The concert was in Vancouver and Cudi grew upset after a wallet was thrown in his direction onstage. Cudi caught the wallet and tossed the item back into the crowd. The young man, Michael Sharpe, caught the wallet then threw it back to the stage since it didn't belong to him. The rapper became agitated, perceiving Sharpe's act as a dis and began to pummel the fan. Sharpe, though, insisted it was a mistake and told TMZ he would not pursue any legal action against the rapper."-mtv.com

The ultimate fan: willing to take a beating for their favorite artist. You go Michael Sharpe! My deepest wish is that Cudi avoids emulating his mentor Kanye before he, too, is considered a douche bag. Heck, who am I kidding, I'd still listen anyway. 

Symphonies ft. Kid Cudi - Dan Black

firefox: (option key & click song link to download) safari:(right click)

-K

Who likes free music?

And it's guilt-free too. Check out San Francisco's own Blackbird Blackbird, especially if you're into synth-pop, on their Bandcamp site. They've released a free EP, Rarities, and a free single, Starlight (ft. Steffaloo). And if you do happen to have an iTunes gift card lying around, buy their full-length LP Summer Heart.

-C

Something Good Can Work (The Twelves Remix) // Two Door Cinema Club

Kitsune led me to the Twelves a great dj duo from Rio de janiero...
i recommend their MIA-boyz & Black Kids- Boyfriend remixes as svell

Kitsuné Maison Compilation

courtesy of one of my fav music websites: http://www.indiescreet.com I found out about the Kitsuné Maison Compilations. All nine of them are located on itunes and they're essentially nine lists of some excellent songs... 

CHECK IT NOW

p.s. also peruse indiescreet izz veryy nice

- the F

Jukebox the Ghost: Everything Under the Sun

There will always be a special place in my heart for the D.C. based trio Jukebox the Ghost. The first time I listened to their cover of the New Order song "Temptation," I was hooked. And then after I listened to "Hold It In" from their 2008 album, there was no going back. Their new album, Everything Under the Sun, definitely caught me unawares, but who doesn't love surprises in the form of new CDs? 
I had no complaints about Jukebox's original eargasm of sunny, piano based pop with the additional bonus of very catchy lyrics (even though there were a good amount of songs about the apocalypse..), but I also can appreciate the new range of sounds being experimented with on this CD, as well as the more subdued approach they're taking. Favorite JTG songs  for your listening pleasure below: (right click to download)

2010 Empire


2008 Hold It In

2008 Temptation


-K

Hollywood Finds Passion Pit

...2 years 2 late and puts Moth's Wings in a trailer for "Life As We Know It."


-C

Whip It

Although definitely not an indie artist, considering she just signed to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation, the spotlight is on Willow Smith's debut track, "Whip My Hair," not only for it's contagiously simple chorus and the obvious influence of Rihanna (who also seems to be influencing Willow's style choices,) but also because she is niiiiine years old.....oh, plus she's Will Smith's daughter.
Whip My Hair - Willow Smith

-K

Treasure Island Artist Profile: Die Antwoord

You listen to this band and you think, this has got to be a joke. Then you check out the About Section on their website, and your initial reaction seems to accurate. And then you look at their videos, and you can't be wrong: Die Antwoord is not a band.

But Treasure Island booked them. Even though Die Antwoord seems to be a joke, their act may be a highlight from the festival. I won't try to describe them because next fokken level zef rap-rave wouldn't mean much to you if you haven't heard them. You're just going to have to see for yourself:

And if you're ready to be really freaked out, watch this video:



-C

G's Fall Fashion Faves Pt. 1

September 21 is approaching. The last official day of summer. We all know what that means: shorter days but seemingly never-ending hours of school, fiery-colored leaves floating down from the lush forestry on our lovely campus, temperatures dropping into the freezing CA 50s, but of course the main thought that occupies all our minds is: is it cold enough to wear my leg warmers yet?

Ok so maybe that’s just me. Substitute “uggs” for “leg warmers” and that’s what most of you are thinking right?  But here’s my challenge to you - change it up, get creative, take a risk. Ditch the uniform of designer jeans and a Northface. Be bold. Be daring. Be independent.

So here are just a few of my classically indie fall favorites:

Oversized sweaters. No, i’m not talking a big college sweatshirt. Grandpa cardigans are among the comfiest things ever. Urban Outfitters usually has a decent collection, but if you want to save some money and go for the real thing, look through some of the thrift  stores on Haight Street. Or if your dad’s like mine and cashmere TSE sweaters are a staple of his closet, knick one of those - it’ll feel like you’re wearing an angel soft blanket (warning: may cause increased sleepiness in class).

Feather headbands. Funky and classy. Nuff said. Urban and Anthropologie often have cool ones but they can get pricy. F21’s are cool and cheap but break easily. Check out Haight Street too they usually have a lot.

Skinny cords. Frickin skinny-jean wearing hipsters. Jk. Why not switch up and go warmer with some cords. Honestly J. Crew has nice ones but if that’s too preppy for you check out American Apparel's slim slacks.

Leg warmers. Best. Invention. Ever. AA’s are comfy, or check out dance stores like Danskin.

More to come soon! Sorry guys just for girls now (except the skinny cords, go for it if you want to) but I'll add more later.

-G

New Sufjan Stevens

Yet again, Sufjan Stevens has released a song from his new album, Age of Adz, which comes out October 12th. Click here to pre-order and here to download the new track, Too Much, for free. The album seems more and more shocking as tracks are released given Sufjan's dramatic switch from indie-folk to electronic. Forget the banjo, here comes the synth.

-C

My angry homework song......Wolfgang Gartner - Wolfgang's 5th Symphony

Night Owl

It's officially past all of those suckers bedtimes, and while they're drooling on their pillows, Night Owl is out on the prowl for some smooth beats to keep you company for the next few lonely hours.

Come With Me - ceo


The Bike Song - Mark Ronson (ft. Kyle Falconer & Spankrock)


Say Something - Clubfoot


In the Bedroom - Xylos

-K

Hipster approved Hip-Hop?

Yes, there is hip-pop even snotty hipsters can enjoy: Big Boi.

Big Boi, (also known as 1/2 of Outkast), released a solo album this summer. The record, Sir Lucious Left Foot, The Son Of Chico Dusty, defied and revived everything about rap. He received critic approval with an extremely rare 9.2 rating and Best New Music label from the all-powerful Pitchfork.com. That's not even mentioning his prestigious place on the front page Arts Section of the New York Times. And he's been embraced by the indpedent music community despite his more-than-major label Def-Jam, why? Because his music is independent, different, and innovative. Check out some of his videos below. You might want to skip a few seconds into "General Patton" as the beginning is a teaser from the Intro to his album, but the song is insane.





-C

Album Review: Cerulean-Baths

Our generation has this big problem: we don't listen to albums. With iTunes dominating the world nowadays, singles matter and albums are losing their importance. Check out some scary statistics here.

Artists make cohesive, thematic albums for a reason: to be listened to in their entirety. Songs aren't the same without the context of an album. So here's a great album to kick the singles addiction.

Electronic music often gets written off as unartistic, but Baths will quell any doubts about the genre. His debut album Cerulean demonstrates the maturity and complexity one would expect from a seasoned artist, but Will Wiesenfeld is new to the electronic scene. However, he does have past experience in a band and played piano when he was a kid.

Cerulean is glitchy, but not annoying once you get familiar with it. The album will bring you up and down and back up again without transition; yet, it retains a consistent flow throughout. And glitchy as they are, his songs seem to represent the album as a whole, forming a parallel between song and record. And while Baths may be unfamiliar to one who doesn't routinely listen to electronic, his album is essentially pop as it can be easily appreciated.

If you still don't trust electronic, check out this video of Baths playing live. It's nuts how fast he can play his songs, and even more unbelievable when you realize that he completely changes up his songs live and on-the-spot.



-C

Never Thought You'd Hear Vampire Weekend at a Rave?

Well think again. Basement Jaxx just remixed Vampire Weekend's White Sky, and it's awesome. Click here to download for free.

-C

King of the Bongo

King of the Bongo - Manu Chao & Portishead
-K

#1 F's 5 mashups/remixes of the week...

Hoodie Allen featuring Starfucker -- Owen Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0dYRU9GsbM 

OnCue - She Likes My Music (prod CJ Luzi)  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk12anRFmBk

The Dean's List -- PlayGround

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLA1ormAJQ8

Marina & The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot (Clock Opera Remix) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmESmaLObVo

Katy Perry- Teenage Dream (Barletta + Paul David Remix) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmioYXzuUwo

LOVEVOLUTION CANCELED GUHHHHHHH

this is not goood.....

Get spooky

Just another thing to make October even better: Live 105's Subsonic Spookfest is back this year. With headliners like MSTRKRFT, Steve Aoki,  The Limousines, and more, this is one chaos-filled, bass thumping, beat pumping, partay you can't miss. Especially since it's one of the few events that are 16+ (seriously what's wrong with this country?) So get out your neon AA spandex, glowsticks, fishnets and more and be there at the Cow Palace on October 29th to blast your ears out. Hey seniors, just think of it as more motivation to get your early apps finished in time... Check out the line-up in the link below:

Spookfest 2010 Line-Up'

-G

Coachella, but it's only October?

Yes, Coachella is months away. But, being as amazing as they are, the people at Coachella have announced their dates already: April 15th, 16th, and 17th. Why is this amazing? BECAUSE IT'S DURING SHP'S SPRING BREAK!

Now, flying down to Palm Springs for a weekend of non-stop music seems impractical, but it's entirely worth it. Coachella has the unparalleled ability to sum up independent music of a full year into three days. And the festival itself is held to the same standard. Some of the attractions last year were a rose garden, a shooting, swirling pillar of flame (don't ask), and a jungle-rave area fully equipped with sprinklers that run throughout the day. Don't forget the acres of green grass with mountains and palm trees in the background.

So starting saving now, tickets are expensive but worth the money.

-C

Matt & Kim are back (but they never really left)

If you haven't heard the glory that is Matt & Kim's new single, get it now. It's called Cameras. If you're a die hard fan, you might be confused at first like I was, but don't worry. Matt & Kim have reinvented their music but kept their happy pop style. Cameras is more mature, but you can still tell that they are still kids inside.

Can't wait for their new album, which should be out before fall ends.

-C

Concert Update

In addition to the concerts we've posted below, here's some more to check out.

Tallest Man On Earth- Monday September 13th- The Fillmore, SF
Ratatat- Friday September 17th- The Warfield, SF
Local Natives- Wednesday September 22nd- The Fillmore, SF
The XX/Zola Jesus- Thursday September 23rd- The Fillmore
Big Boi (Hipster Approved Rap)- Thursday September 23rd- Regency Ballroom, SF
Band of Horses- Friday September 24th- The Greek Theater, Berkeley
Flying Lotus/Caspa- Friday September 24th- Mezzanine, SF
Dirty Projectors- Saturday September 25th- The Fillmore
Vampire Weekend/Beach House- Saturday September 25th & 26th- Greek Theater
Passion Pit- Monday September 27th- Fox Theater, Oakland
Matt & Kim/Fang Island- Thursday September 30th- Fillmore
Arcade Fire- October 2nd & 3rd- Greek Theater

...and, as we also mentioned below, TREASURE ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL IS COMING OCTOBER 16TH & 17TH. The lineup for this festival hasn't let hipsters down since the festival's debut three years ago. It's hipsters. It's hipster bands. And it's on an island.

Also, Ratatat is trippy live, The XX is soothing, Dirty Projectors are all over the place in a good way, Vampire Weekend is perfect, Beach House is similar to The XX, Passion Pit is non-stop jumping, and MATT & KIM ARE INSANE.

Double Toubadour Trouble

Two of the most well-respected indie folk artists, Sufjan Stevens and The Tallest Man On Earth, have released EPs out of the blue, surprising fans and hipsters alike. On August 23rd, Sufjan introduced All Delighted People EP, and just yesterday, The Tallest Man released Sometimes The Blues Is Just A Passing Bird EP.

While Tallest Man's new EP is to fresh to properly digest, I can promise you that Sufjan's EP is worth a listen. Shaking off old habits, he has thrown out a a lengthy EP with some of his more traditional techniques. However, if you listen closely, you can here some synth hidden beneath his layered music foreshadowing his recently announced album Age of Adz which is coming October 12th.

This album, unlike his recent EP, seems as if it will shock fans. Sufjan has dropped the banjo and joined the hype of electronic music. We'll see how this decision works out come October, but I wouldn't ever doubt Sufjan Steven's musical expertise.

You can download a song from his new album and preorder the said record here.

treasure island music festival... be there or be mainstream

October 16th & 17th 

Saturday my picks: Deadmau5, miike snow, and jamaica 

Sunday: she & him, the national, ra ra riot, rogue wave, phosphorescent

Last year was awesome so I can expect as much this year....