North American Scum

Take - Cannon Bros [Winnipeg]This album’s ambiguous and visceral title pops like some...

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:01:00 +1100

Take - Cannon Bros [Winnipeg]
This album’s ambiguous and visceral title pops like some insta-nostalgic mixture of The Zit Remedy, a nearly forgotten Eric’s Trip video and your overwrought LiveJournal entries from high school (which, upon second glance, are much more heartfelt and less embarrassing than you remember). Alannah W. and Cole W. have been making these one-, two-, and three-chorders for a few years now, apparently writing songs tallying into the hundreds, but have pared the laundry list down to 12 for this release. Switching between cymbals, skins and strings, they take turns singing about soft-shoeing through their lives and dealing with, y’know, the shitty stuff, but glossing it over. It all sounds peachy keen, albeit sometimes frantic.

http://cannonbros.bandcamp.com

[Words - Weird Canada]

Sit Still - Each Other [Montreal]
Last year, Montreal garage-pop outfit Each Other self-released an EP, Taking Trips; next month, they’ll release a new 7”, “Traces to Nowhere” b/w “Sit Still”, courtesy of Crikey. Here’s the B-side.

http://eachotherssongs.bandcamp.com

[Words - Pitchfork]

My Way - Bad Vibrations [Halifax]
From the bowels of Haligonian earth comes, at last, a full-length offering of ruminations and rumble-punk from these three ramblers. Instant hits like “My Way” cut like a knife through an overall atmosphere of groovy murk, while “Muddy Waters” takes you to the rippling bong-water depths of classic grunge. Black Train hearkens back to moments of Moncton miasma while conjuring up an atmosphere of heavy, bleary bliss and magic all its own. My favorite album of 2011 can now become yours. Take a ride on this long strange trip.

http://quakerparents.bandcamp.com

[Words - Weird Canada]

Lessons - Beach Fossils [New York City]
Here’s the B-side to the new Beach Fossils 7”, which comes out February 21 via Captured Tracks. You’ll remember that we posted the A-side, “Shallow”, last week. Beach Fossils are at work on their full-length follow-up to last year’s What a Pleasure EP, which should see release on CT later this year.

http://facebook.com/beachfossils

[Words - Pitchfork]

Stairway - Yukon Blonde [Voncouver]
Tiger Talk, Yukon Blonde’s forthcoming album, is a full-bodied rocker. No pretence, no apologies. It’s the kind of record that deserves to be heard and experienced rather than discussed and deconstructed, and fortunately, the band’s teased out the first single (or focus track, as we seem to be calling them in 2012) to help start the process. “Stairway” is hook-laden hard-hitter, rife with big, infectious harmonies that are sure to cast some big sing-along moments at shows.

Tiger Talk is dated for March 20, through Dine Alone Records. If that isn’t enough, “Stairway” is also available on 7″ vinyl and backed with a demo of the unreleased track “Radio,” if you’re into that sort of thing.

http://www.myspace.com/yukonblondeband

Rats - K-Holes [Brooklyn]
Brooklyn bashers K-Holes feature former members of Black Lips and Golden Triangle, and their sophomore follow-up to last year’s self-titled debut on HoZac, Dismania, is out May 1 via Sub Pop offshoot Hardly Art. “Rats” is the first taste from said album.

http://thek-holes.blogspot.com

[Words - Pitchfork]

No Sun - White Birds [Philadelphia]
The first thing that hits me is the beautiful vocal harmonies swirling in and out of each other. The second thing is the booming church bells – completely unexpected and wonderfully understated. This lone track has a life of its own, building and receding, and eventually ending with a hushed church choir memory. The rest of the album follows suit.

Over the last few weeks I’ve chatted with James Harvey, one of the members of White Birds, and have come to understand how much this album and this transition to White Birds (from the now deceased Drink Up Buttercup) has meant to him. We were having a conversation about the young wildness of Drink Up Buttercup and how different White Birds was from that when he simply said:

“I’ve always just liked pretty music, and now I’m making what I like.”

I’m glad he is. Be sure to head over to the White Birds Bandcamp to stream a selection of songs before the release. You can pre-order it there as well. Also check out the White Birds Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr pages.

http://whitebirds.bandcamp.com

[Words - ?]

Pads of Light - White Hills [New York]
On March 20, blasted stoner rockers White Hills follow up last year’s H-p1 with another new album, Frying on This Rock, via Thrill Jockey. “Pads of Light” is a cut from that forthcoming release.

http://www.myspace.com/whitehills

[Words - Pitchfork]

I Got You Babe - Bahamas [Toronto]
I’m going to be honest, I was watching Eagle Vs. Shark last night and I realized that Jemaine looks like Alfie from Bahamas which led me to streaming his new record and falling in love with “I Got You Babe”. Funny how my train of thought unravels. Bahamas played for us last SXSW and he was one of my faves. His new record is superb, it’s getting more Jack Johnson/John Mayer-ish but I don’t mind at all.

http://www.bahamasmusic.net

[Words - Friends with Both Arms]

Spore - Ramona Falls [Portland]
Though many Menomena fans miss Brent Knopf and were sad to see him depart the band, one listen to the new single from his project Ramona Falls and you will realize that it was all for the better. Ramona Falls will release their new album, titled Prophet, on May 1st via Barsuk.

http://www.ramonafalls.com

[Words - One Thirty BPM]

Clementine - Louis Weeks [Baltimore]
About a year ago I stumbled onto Baltimore’s Louis Weeks, a folkish singer-songwriter that strays into textural background studies. His song “Bloodline” was what initially sparked my interest. Now he’s working on a full LP and has sent over one from it entitled “Clementine”. It picks up on the same subtle electronics that float through his previous work – really giving his folk croon some body behind it. It’s a track about family, aging, and passing of time and can also be heard during the documentary “What Time is Left” by Dakin Henderson.

http://louisweeks.bandcamp.com

[Words - Pasta Primavera]

I’m A Man - Mac DeMarco [Vancouver]
Vancouver garage-pop upstart Mac DeMarco’s proper debut for Captured Tracks, Rock and Roll Night Club, drops on March 20. The slinky “I’m a Man” is our second taste from the album, the first being “Baby’s Wearin Blue Jeans”, which we posted at the beginning of last month.

http://macdemarco.bandcamp.com

[Words - Pitchfork]

Livin’ Free - The Young [Austin]
Fresh off of releasing their debut LP, Voyagers of Legend, on Mexican Summer last year, Austin rockers the Young have signed to Matador, who’ll be releasing their sophomore bow, Dub Egg, on May 8. “Livin’ Free” is a frizzy, stoned cut from that LP.

http://theyoungblog.tumblr.com

[Words - Pitchfork]

Rest Your Bones - Paper Beat Scissors [Halifax]
Sitting somewhere just outside that shadow is Paper Beat Scissors, the evolved bedroom project of Tim Crabtree and a revolving door of guest musicians. Paper Beat Scissors is rooted in the same sounds as Crabtree’s Haligonian peers, but moves in more experimental shapes, punctuated by horns, strings and swirling electronic flourishes. Case in point: “Rest Your Bones,” which takes typically melancholic acoustic work and twists it into a delay-and-reverb soaked crescendo that catapults the track skyward, betraying the slight instrumentation it took to get there.

“Rest Your Bones” is pulled from an upcoming self-titled debut LP, featuring handiwork by Jeremy Gara (Arcade Fire), Pietro Amato (Bell Orchestre), and Sebastian Chow (Islands) among others, and promises to continue exploring these rocky new soundscapes. You can get in on the excursion come March 6, via Forward Music Group.

http://www.myspace.com/paperbeatscissors

[Words - Soft Signal]

Shallow Tears - Light Asylum [Brooklyn]
Come May 1st, Brooklyn synth duo Light Asylum will release their follow up to their In Tension EP from last year, with their self-titled debut album. The ten-track album will be released via Mexican Summer, and so you can commence your excitement properly, you can listen to the track “Shallow Tears” below, along with the b-side “Genesis”. The album’s tracklisting follows, as do some dates the band have lined up May.

http://www.lightasylum.com

[Words - One Thirty BPM]

Clowne Towne (Xiu Xiu Cover) - How To Dress Well [Brooklyn]
Haven’t heard from How to Dress Well for a while, but here he is with a cover of Xiu Xiu’s “Clowne Towne”, from 2004’s Fabulous Muscles. The cover is part of a fundraiser compilation for Ad Hoc, the startup blog/zine run by former Altered Zones editors and Pitchfork contributors Emilie Friedlander and Ric Leichtung.

http://howtodresswell.blogspot.com

[Words - Pitchfork]

Crew Love (Shlohmo Remix) - Drake Feat. The Weeknd [Toronto]

Shlohmo has answered The Weeknd‘s call to post a studio version of his remix of Drake’s “Crew Love.” Uploaded on Soundcloud only hours ago, the slow and sexy track already boasts almost 5K plays.

http://the-weeknd.com

[Words - Discobelle]

Streed Fung - Hoodcats [Oakland]
Another stellar release by one of my favourite online label Mapzzz. This one is a stellar release by our darling Shortcircles’ side project Hoodcats (a trio including fellow Oakland Residents James & Evander). They describe their sound as ‘sample-based future-music that owe as much to stoney instrumental hip-hop as they do to bass-minded footwork and house.’ Everyone one of the three tracks on this EP is just as good as the next, containing the most outrageous samples. Download the EP from Mapzzz’ Bandcamp.

http://mapzzz.bandcamp.com

[Words - Life Aquatic]

Umberto - TONY COPS [Montreal]
Here’s another good look from No Conclusion, who gave the tip on White Car’s “Genevieve” in the post below. Tony Cops is an electronic disco producer from Montreal. Inside his Eventide EP we find all sorts of sexy mechanical steamblasts and lurking synthesizer stabs, all wrapped in piping hot arpeggiated euphoria. While Tony’s aesthetic may sound goofily dated and is obviously derived from fine Italo Disco numbers from decades past, Eventide is an apt homage to the genre and an overall fun listen. The entire EP is available for stream and second track “Umberto” is available for free download.

http://soundcloud.com/tonycops

[Words - Friendship Bracelet]

Is That You? - Dose [Columbus]
Columbus, Ohio producer Dose just released a brand new album full of sultry beats. The kind of beats that you find yourself drifting off to; the kind of beats that make time escape your reality. These are sounds to dream to while you are awake, the kind of sounds that cause you to stare intently for full minutes at a time, only to realize you weren’t actually looking at anything.

While We Were High is a lot like it sounds. The memory of a feeling that you can’t ever quite get back to on your own. A faded picture of relished times. All that’s left is the warmth and that steady rhythm, letting you know what’s done is done…and that it’s all okay.

http://dose82.bandcamp.com

[Words - Smoke Don’t Smoke]

yrLyf - Time Wharp [USA]
A little over a week ago Time Wharp released his BLK EP with Astro Nautico. The sequel to his hip-hop oriented GRN EP, this one goes harder with the dance aspect of his electronic bangers, though it never quite loses it’s hip-hop flavor. “yrLyf” is the opening track and first single released from the EP. It starts with a pure ambiance that will leave you floating on clouds before slowly working into a deep soulful groove. With every round of steps the tracks builds a little higher, never getting to complex yet still daring you to keep up; an attitude that suits the entire EP perfectly.

http://timewharp.com

[Words - Decoder]

Maim My Bitch - Gremlins [USA]
We’re honored to be able to announce Gremlins; the new project from the collective of Mat Cothran (Coma Cinema, Elvis Depressedly), Patrick Jeffords (Toro y Moi, Kid Trails), Sam Ray (Ricky Eat Acid) and Katie Lee (Braids). Just as each individual here has their own set of material that’s every bit as worthwhile, this project becomes the sum of each members’ unique presence, put together as a singular product, where its movie-influenced name barely adds to the distinguishing sound created here.

In its most honest state, Gremlins follows closely as a completely refreshing take through specific song structures only Mat Cothran would be behind. “Maim My Bitch” has Gremlins putting together one of the most catchy synth hooks ever and the entire experience is made complete from the detuned textures of the present synth patch, while the track’s dark nature blends effortlessly around the percussion. But this is just one out of the three songs available on the upcoming February 29th release. A release Mat describes as, a record that “seeks to express a sense of panic, reality, and death.”

[Words - AWD Castles]

Genesis - Light Asylum [Brooklyn]
Come May 1st, Brooklyn synth duo Light Asylum will release their follow up to their In Tension EP from last year, with their self-titled debut album. The ten-track album will be released via Mexican Summer, and so you can commence your excitement properly, you can listen to the track “Shallow Tears” below, along with the b-side “Genesis”. The album’s tracklisting follows, as do some dates the band have lined up May.

http://www.lightasylum.com

[Words - One Thirty BPM]

Cleat Talking - Still Flyin [San Francisco]Party machines Still Flyin’ have announced their next...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:37:00 +1100

Cleat Talking - Still Flyin [San Francisco]
Party machines Still Flyin’ have announced their next record. On A Bedroom Wall is due out May 21. Here’s our first listen, the energetic track “Cleat Talking.” This is my favorite Still Flyin song since “Runaway Train II.” It’s got a bouncy melody, positive lyrics and a strong spirit. Here’s hoping I can sing along to this one live soon!

Still Flyin also have an interesting contest going on to win some custom-made Still Flyin cleats.

[Words - You Ain’t No Picasso]
[Photo]

The Spell - Naomi Punk [Washington State]
A couple of years ago Olympia’s Naomi Punk released their self-titled first album and blew me away. It was nine tracks of delightfully fuzzy garage-pop and grunge that I couldn’t get over. A little more than a year later they released the CLS EP, packaged in a DVD case that still leaves me wishing for video accompaniments to all three tracks. Now the trio has announced their second record, The Feeling, will drop April 24 via Couple Skate. The record is fourteen months in the making, and while the first single holds the same grungy atmospheres as earlier Naomi Punk tracks, it certainly sounds cleaner, showing off a bit more what the trio are capable of.

The Feeling drops 4/24 via Couple Skate Records.

[Words - Decoder]

Promise Me Eternity - Mood Rings [Atlanta]
Atlanta’s MOOD RINGS have just dropped an early demo for their upcoming LP, Dream Infinity Live In Fantasy. This is a slow burner, mood mellower. Really quite different from the previous stuff on Sweater Weather Forever – I dig.

http://moodrings.bandcamp.com

[Words - Pasta Primavera]

Dead Pontoon - Toro Y Moi [South Carolina]
Since 2009, Chaz Bundick, aka Toro Y Moi, has helped pioneer a contemporary strand of glowing, electronic pop. And his most recent releases have moved towards “explicitly funky 80s-tinged dancefloor jams”. But earlier in his career, in summer 2009, Bundick was creating confessional, lo-fi guitar pop indebted more to artists like Ariel Pink. Now Bundick presents the retrospective June 2009, a 7” vinyl box set collecting 10 of those songs, which were previously released as a tour only CD-R. It’s out April 24 via Carpark, and also available digitally and on CD. Check out a cut from the release, “Dead Pontoon”.

http://www.facebook.com/toroymoi

[Words - Gorilla vs Bear]

Don’t Reach Out - Long Weekends [Halifax]
They go by the name Long Weekends, three gentlemen based out of Halifax who, after a string of digital releases, are moving into the physical with a new 7″ for single “Don’t Reach Out.” It’s a gloomy lo-fi rocker that reconciles pieces of 1960s garage rock with 1980s new wave into one decades-spanning work that might almost pass for being written at any point in the last 50-odd years, if it weren’t for some bouncing, warbling vocal work that keep things rooted in the modern.
Long Weekend’s venture into vinyl will be available through Noyes Records sometime soon.

http://longweekends.bandcamp.com

[Words - Soft Signal]

Nowhere - Wild Nothing [Virginia]
It’s been over a year since we heard new music from Wild Nothing, but new track (and 7” on Captured Tracks) “Nowhere” seeks to prove it was worth the wait. No longer just the bedroom-recordings of Jack Tatum, the Nowhere 7” features Tatum hitting the studio and teaming up a bit with Twin Sister’s Andrea Estella to add to the already beautiful moods of his music. The band is apparently hard at work on their next album, and we should expect before this year’s end (and the world’s end with it.)

The Nowhere 7” drops 2/21 but will be available to pre-order soon via Captured Tracks.

[Words - Decoder]

It Will Never Be - White Fence [Los Angeles]
White Fence, the lo-fi paisley garage side project of Darker My Love’s Tim Presley, released the solid Is Growing Faith last year on Woodsist. Presley has a double LP, Family Perfume, planned for release on that label for this year; the two albums will be released separately first, to be compiled together later on in the year. Vol. 1 is out April 3; this “edit” of “It Will Never Be” is the first single from that release.

[Words - Weekly Tape Deck]

Wishing Well - Cheyenne Marie Mize [Louisville]
Kentuckian’s own Cheyenne Marie Mize put out her new album We Don’t Need on a wide vinyl and digital release this week. She’s performing at Cosmic Charlie’s this Friday at a YANP-sponsored show. If you enjoy the song, check out the show!

This track has the stomp of a cheerleader chant with the soul of a blues song and the spirit of a Janis Joplin track. But miraculously the track doesn’t suffer for the wide base of influences. It’s a strong song that I keep replaying.

[Words - You Ain’t No Picasso]
[Photo]

Chin Chin - Sean Nicholas Savage [Montreal]
If small town fairs were hip to the culture of cheap thrills and cheese appeal that speaks to my inner child, I’d hear Flamingo on the tinny speakers beside my head while I wait in line for elephant ears and ride vouchers. Sean Savage is calmer and quieter here than I’ve known him to be. These are vaguely erotic hand-holding and ferris-wheel-secret-telling songs. I want to win the big bear prize for my gal and make promises to her while the sun sets. Lovely meets funny as Sean trills, woos and oohs you.

http://seannicholassavage.bandcamp.com

[Words - Weird Canada]

Close To Me - Sophia Knapp [San Francisco]
Although we haven’t heard all of Sophia Knapp’s forthcoming, Bill Callahan-featuring debut full-length Into the Waves, the great Drag City says the record is reminiscent of “melodic psych pop of the 60’s, Tropicalia ballads, chilly New York dance records of the 80’s, and the seduction of Stevie Nicks or Françoise Hardy,” (i.e., everything that is awesome), and the excellent “Close to Me” manages to sort of evoke all of those things and more in one song:

Into the Waves is out 2/28 on Drag City.

[Words - Gorilla vs Bear]

Empty Days - Vague Horror
Alex Moxam, who, if you’ve been reading this blog since November of 2010, produced delightful lo-fi folk tunes under the moniker Triangle (he was also the live drummer for Philly’s Arches). That was then. That was during his time in Honduras. Now he’s back in the US and back in Bmore and…well different. Vague Horror is his new project and it feels like a 360 from his previous recordings. Somewhat darker and dreamier. It’s faded, damaged, and withered psych-ish rock…and it’s awesome.

Vague Horror is Moxam and his pal Kevin. Things are in the works for more songs, so I’ll be sure to keep y’alls posted.

[Words - Pasta Primavera]

Madeleine - Lissy Trullie [New York City]
I might be late on the Lissy Trullie train, but I’m glad I jumped on. Her new track “Madeleine” is strikingly elegant and bold- it’s definitely got this Velvet Underground sound to it. Her self-titled album produced by John Hill (Santigold, M.I.A.) and Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio) is coming out March 6th via Downtown Records and if it’s anything like “Madeleine” then I’ll be happy.

[Words - Pasta Primavera]
[Photo]

In the Yard - Bowerbirds [North Carolina]
After premiering one of our favorites songs that will be released this year, “Tuck The Darkness In,” Bowerbirds are now offering up track two from their upcoming album, The Clearing. Beth Tacular takes on lead vocals this time around, and the song build to unexpected places (distorted accordion?) that are worth seeing through. The Clearing will be released on March 6th via Dead Oceans, and you can download “In The Yard” below.

[Words - Stereogum]

What Else Is There To Say ? - BRUSQUE TWINS [Montreal]
Wipe that icy sweat off your brow and vogue like a vampire. Visage Musique’s late 2011 salvo sends out a coldwave of shimmering shivers with minimal emotion and maximum satisfaction, spanning the label’s extended family, WC fave Femminielli and a fresh cast of freaks. Black light aerobics and arena anthems pump it up like Pavel Bure while the witching hour survivors get their kicks. G to the RIP.

http://visagemusique.bandcamp.com

[Words - Weird Canada]

Deep Ocean - Some Ember
Y’alls probably know by now that I’m a big ole fan of the Crash Symbols label as well as their blogarific counterpart Decoder. Well on their recent elite comp Dope Mountain Fuck Vol. 2 there’s a brilliant track from Oakland’s Some Ember. This electronic gold is the star of my stereo on this fine and sunny Saturday afternoon.

http://soundcloud.com/some-ember

[Words - Pasta Primavera]

Brooklyn Sunburn - Teen Daze [Vancouver]
Vancouver’s Teen Daze has announced a debut LP, titled All Of Us, Together, due on May 22nd via Lefse. Below, you can download “Brooklyn Sunburn,” (via The Fader) an aptly titled bit of shimmery electronica that treads into elements that could be described as uplifting, even redemptive.

http://teendaze.bandcamp.com

[Words - One Thirty BPM]
[Photo]

Benefits - Poor Spirits
Somedays I look at my inbox and wonder why the hell I ever started this confounded music blog. Then there are days like today where I’m thankful that I did. As of late you might have noticed some posts on Poor Spirits, a rad electronic pop artist that I really know nothing about. But yet through email and twitter I’ve come to know the dude a little bit, so much so that he values my opinion on new work before he puts it out. ??? That’s an amazing feeling. I’m honored really that anyone would think that of me and Pasta Primavera. Anyways he’s sent some new stuff over, one being “Benefits”, and it’s my jam right now. Sugar sweet electronic pops with eerie auto-tuned vocals that somehow fit perfectly.

http://soundcloud.com/poor-spirits

[Words - Pasta Primavera]

Sophisticuffs - Uncle Skeleton [Nashville]
In 2010 I found out about producer Uncle Skeleton (until recently of Nashville’s Kindercastle) with relation to his label, Yewknee Records, who had released his debut the previous year and more recently been written up on Nashville Scene for being an early proponent of free digital releases to accompany limited edition physical ones. As solid as the label’s own format has proven, it pales beside Uncle Skeleton’s latest cuts, taken from his upcoming third album All Too Human. The new single, bundled with a remix, outtake, and b-side, demonstrate a strong progression for Uncle Skeleton since his 2009 debut Pancho Chumley. Although his older music was always catchy and engrossing, these songs feel better developed, like harder decisions were made during recording. Even the remix from Burgers, aka Nashville music photographer Steve Cross, does the original justice, taking Uncle Skeleton’s breezy disco funk for a more disciplined workout.

Look for Uncle Skeleton’s All Too Human 2xLP on Nashville’s Yewknee Records this spring.

[Words - Decoder]

Monde fallacieux (Extended) - POLICE DES MOEURS [Montreal]
Wipe that icy sweat off your brow and vogue like a vampire. Visage Musique’s late 2011 salvo sends out a coldwave of shimmering shivers with minimal emotion and maximum satisfaction, spanning the label’s extended family, WC fave Femminielli and a fresh cast of freaks. Black light aerobics and arena anthems pump it up like Pavel Bure while the witching hour survivors get their kicks. G to the RIP.

http://visagemusique.bandcamp.com

[Words - Weird Canada]

Dntwnt2go - Mark Aubert [San Francisco]
I wrote about Mark Aubert last year, shortly after we moved to the Bay Area and I discovered (a part of) the plethora of amazing musicians that reside here. Mark is nothing if not prolific, and he recently posted a new track that’s totally mind-blowing, as usual. Making use of a slowed-down background sample that sounds a lot like it came from Johnny Preston’s classic “Running Bear” (maybe it did), the new song (titled “Dntwnt2go”) is moved along by another vocal sample repeating “I don’t wanna go” while sick beats and other various samples are parlayed into a bumping soundscape that you won’t want to leave.

I also suggest checking out his latest full release, Lost / Found, which you can download for free (along with his many other albums) at his bandcamp.

http://markaubert.bandcamp.com

[Words - Decoder]
[Photo]

From Blue to Black - GPSYMTH [USA]
After a small preview last fall, GPSYMTH released his first full-length album, Ripostes, this past Friday, and it does not disappoint. It’s packed full of dreamy synth-pop tunes that shimmer and sparkle like gems in moonlight; moments of pure warmth are soon followed by cool shadows passing over. I particularly enjoy the track “From Blue to Black”, with an intro that sounds like a pleasant videogame starting, before it moves into deep mists of vocal layers and sparse drum machines. Perfect for headphones and contemplation, Ripostes is a well-rounded album whose tracks are stitched together from the same soft cloth.

You can download all of Ripostes for a whopping $2 at his bandcamp.

http://gpsymth.bandcamp.com

[Words - Decoder]

February - Boyscout Discovery [Portland]
The widely-endorsed Portland musician Boyscout Discovery is currently putting together his latest release, for now only titled LP (In Progress). His tracks are a sort of auditory pinball machine — a mixture of beeps, clicks, and various sound and vocal samples all fluidly triggering one another. Check out “February”, an impressively-constructed, movie clip-laden track with perfectly-timed synth glitches and a solid beat. You can download all of his music for free at the bandcamp, and his latest is set to drop Feb. 23rd.

http://boyscoutdiscovery.bandcamp.com

[Words - Decoder]

High Noon - Marshall Trotter [Atlanta]
Mirror Universe is set to drop their first tape release of the year this Spring, Small Troubles from one Marshall Trotter. If the name isn’t ringing any bells fret not, he’s previously gone by the moniker Aux Arc. Though he has decided to drop the moniker, the music still feels as bright and erratic as it ever did. Last October our pal Ric at International Tapes shared the demo version of “High Noon” on Altered Zones, and now we have the pleasure of debuting the final version. The track is hyper; bouncy enough to have you dancing at double speed. Even with a slightly wistful tinge to the vocals, they flow in a way that makes the soul sway. Small Troubles drops on tape this Spring via Mirror Universe and the first edition is limited to 50 copies.

https://www.facebook.com/marshalltrotter

[Words - Decoder]

I apologise for not blogging that much over the past few months. Life and other radio projects...

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:33:00 +1100

I apologise for not blogging that much over the past few months. Life and other radio projects managed to become more important. But it seems I’ve manage to make a success of those other things overcoming me in my life. Now it’s time to get back to my first love.

2012 marks a new year and that means new beginnings for North American Scum. I asked myself if this blog was able to compete with other music blogs. Perhaps not was the answer. It’s not my first job so quality would always suffer. I’m a radio producer by trade and I know what people really want when it comes to music. They want the music, duh! So that’s what I’m giving you. Each week I will upload the radio show in its entirety for your listening pleasure.

This week’s show wasn’t really intended to be uploaded. It was a little below par. But I had the audio ready for the Sunday repeat show, so I decided to upload it anyway. The playlist is below and in order. Please enjoy.

New Daze - Cheerleader [Listen Before You Buy]

The Too Men - Zoo Animal [Friends with Both Arms]

Father Spirit - Stone Cold Fox [Friends with Both Arms]

Nothing Will Grow - Little Jungles [Cool Things I Find]

Brains - Lower Dens [Fader]

Brothers - Tanlines [Decoder]

The Reflection of You - Bear in Heaven [Pitchfork]

Lafaye - School of Seven Bells [Pitchfork]

Comeback Kid - Sleigh Bells [Stereogum]

Hybrid Moments (Misfits cover) Wavves [Stereogum]

Looking Lapsed - Each Other [Weird Canada]

1966 - Moon Tides [Cool Things I Find]

Fireworks - Flishlights [Speaker Snacks]

Memory (Cassettes) - Beat Culture [Pasta Primavera]

Cellogroove - Philia [Weird Canada]

Closed Shades - Crozet [Pasta Primavera]

Rack City (Ryan Hemsworth Remix) - Tyga [Decoder]

Real Is A Feeling (Grimes Remix) - Pictureplane [Stereogum]

!!-MAJOR - Friendzone [Decoder]

Born To Die (Clams Casino Remix) - Lana Del Rey [Gorilla vs Bear]

Adore - Sloslylove [Life Aquatic]

It’s Over - Top Girls [Friends with Both Arms]

Playlist 05-01-2012

Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:36:02 +1100

Looking Lapsed - Each Other [Weird Canada]

Lying In State - Island Twins [Get Off The Coast]

Paris Green - Jessica Jalbert [Weird Canada]

Immigrant - Sporting Life [Get Off The Coast]

Ma Babby - Brabazons [Weird Canada]

Know Me - Frankie Rose [Get Off The Coast]

Tears In The Typing Pool (Broadcast Cover) - Tennis [Get Off The Coast]

Leave Me Alone (New Order Cover) - Destroyer [Fader]

There’s A Secret To Your Pleasure - Slim Twig [Weird Canada]

Stay Useless - Cloud Nothings [Pitchfork]

Big Joke - Dive [Over Muziek]

Glimmer - Go Cozy [Pasta Primavera]

This Is Not A Song - Islands [Stereogum]

Mukraker - Conveyor [One Thirty BPM]

White Night - Little Girls [Pasta Primavera]

Headcage - Matthew Dear [Pitchfork]

Precious Metals - Poor Spirits [Pasta Primavera]

Pastels - Catamaran [Get Off The Coast]

Palace Chalice - Mux Mool [Get Off The Coast]

Numb - Clams Casino [Gorilla vs Bear]

Russian Girlfriends - Perseus [Friendship Bracelet]

Necromancy - Jessica Jalbert [Weird Canada]

Video

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:28:25 +1100

Chelsea Wolfe - Mer

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:39:00 +1100

Chelsea Wolfe - Mer

Pictureplane - Black Nails

Sun, 11 Dec 2011 20:32:00 +1100

Pictureplane - Black Nails

Adventure - Rio

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:29:00 +1100

Adventure - Rio

Gauntlet Hair - Top Bunk

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:25:00 +1100

Gauntlet Hair - Top Bunk

Food Pyramid - Last Shuttle to the Red Planet

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 20:23:00 +1100

Food Pyramid - Last Shuttle to the Red Planet

Raleigh Moncrief - Lament For Morning

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:18:00 +1100

Raleigh Moncrief - Lament For Morning

Horrid Red - Horrid Life

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:14:00 +1100

Horrid Red - Horrid Life

Beat Connection - In The Water

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:10:00 +1100

Beat Connection - In The Water

Wise Blood - Loud Mouths

Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:06:00 +1100

Wise Blood - Loud Mouths

Ghibli - Brahman

Sat, 03 Dec 2011 23:19:00 +1100

Ghibli - Brahman

Monster Rally - Ribbons

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:12:00 +1100

Monster Rally - Ribbons

Friends - I’m His Girl

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:08:00 +1100

Friends - I’m His Girl

Hola everyone. Apologies for being away of late. It’s been a long month in NAS land. But...

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:02:00 +1100

Hola everyone. Apologies for being away of late. It’s been a long month in NAS land. But I’ve not forgotten my adoring fans. You’re in for a real treat during December. Everyday in that Christmas month you’ll get one of the best track played on NAS this year. By December 31st you’ll be all up to date with the coolest music played on the show throughout the year. Keep your eyes glued to this website. You wont be sorry!

Pictureplane - Black Nails

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:02:15 +1100

Pictureplane - Black Nails

Playlist 24-11-2011

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:01:05 +1100

Yellow Ostrich - Til I Disappear [One Thirty BPM]

Papermaps - Reunion [Soft Signal]

Summer Fiction - Christmas Eve for Two [You Ain’t No Picasso]

Heavenly Beat - Faithless [Fader]

Dead Mellotron - Making Up [Pasta Primavera]

Dodos - So Cold [Pitchfork]

Escort - Makeover [Pitchfork]

The Rest - The Last Day [Listen Before You Buy]

Expwy - Park Row [Pasta Primavera]

Pink Skull - Mu [20 Jazz Funk Greats]

Evan Voytas - Can’t Let Anyone Know Who You Are [Stereogum]

Boy Friend - Egyptian Wrinkle [Altered Zones]

of Montreal - Wintered Debts [You Ain’t No Picasso]

Pictureplane - Black Nails [Altered Zones]

Emay - Igneous ROCKstar [Pasta Primavera]

Michael Collins - Let Go [Get Off The Coast]

Paula - Even If It’s True [Get Off The Coast]

Peaking Lights - Birds Of Paradise (Maria Minerva’s Ooh Aah Eh Edit) [Gorilla vs Bear]

Passion Party - SECRET SEXXX [Weird Canada]

Cabaal - SOMA [20 Jazz Funk Greats]

SolarSolar - Creature Makers [Listen Before You Buy]

Rainbow Arabia - Sequenced [20 Jazz Funk Greats]