If you haven’t listened to Dominant Legs yet, close your eyes and open your mind to the salty sweet (if this band were a food) duo: Ryan Lynch’s voice (of Girls) is deep and dark  mixed with Hannah Hunt’s, which is dreamy and distant, making for an unusual combination that just so happens to work.

One of their latest tracks, About My Girls, makes me think of what a high school dance in the 1950’s felt like. It seems like a perfect soundtrack to the divided boy-girl parties where polka dot dresses and cat eye glasses were dominant, yea dominant legs. Then there’s Clawing Out At the Walls which I think is the stand-out track among the 4 on the EP, Young at Love and Life (released on Lefse August 17th). With a lighter feel, the track has the same dreamy nostalgic sound, but with a bit more pep. Specifically, island pep, that is or was appropriate to someone, at some point in time, I just have no idea how or more appropriately, when- Lynch almost brings an other-worldly quality that extends throughout the whole EP.

While my favorite track is Clawing Out At the Walls, here’s the track that hooked me:

Dominant Legs – About My Girls

And, yes, this has got to be included as well:

Dominant Legs – Clawing Out at the Walls

Dominant Legs are about to tour with UK based Mystery Jets, and will be supporting them both nights at Mercury Lounge on September 14th and 15th and at the Troubadour in LA on the 17th.

*Mystery Jets’ latest album, Serotonin, is out now. Support Dominant Legs and purchase their EP here.

Why haven’t you written about High Places yet? The answer is: I don’t know!!!!!!

I have been meaning to, ever since I saw them at the Guggenheim with Toro Y Moi last month, at their sound check, and one of the samples they had repeating (from On Giving Up) was amazing. And that was just sound check, kids.

Fast forward to August, they’re featured in a rather large two page spread in SPIN this month. So what makes this experimental electro-pop duo stand out? Give their second album, High Places vs. Mankind a listen, and its pretty evident how talented they are.

Check out their Head Spinz (Hawnay Troof Remix) and On Giving Up below, which is prime for a good remix…

High Places – On Giving Up

Purchase songs on eMusic here.

Introducing…. Delcroy: a brand spankin new act out of Long Beach, California. And I mean BRAND new. They have one song. One music video. And 4 friends on MySpace. I like it.

The duo Lauren Hillman + Tom Bailey have released their first song, Fresh, in anticipation for their first album to come later this fall, which will have over 12 tracks…  The music video to Fresh pretty much sums up all of my music video fantasies: breaking into a kick ass song and dance routine along with 5 shiny silver spandex clad computers.

Fresh is a fun electro, synth-heavy dance song with a catchy beat and even catchier lyrics “maybe its the sound of your voice” that stay in your head long after the track ends…Overall, the video, created by Nick Wenger, is pretty entertaining but at 2:30, watch out, because it blasts into absolute awesomeness with the dance montage mentioned above: computers with sweet dance moves, professing their love (to Lauren).

I can only hope Delcroy compliments each track with equally entertaining videos like this one and furthermore, their album release party better include some of these dancemazing computers on stage…

Download the song here: www.delcroynow.com

Delcroy- Fresh

SIGGHH.  I love this band…For their first full length album, Blackbird Blackbird jump in with a BANG, then cartwheel, do some jumping jacks and float on up to the sky (yea, just like the photo). Their beats remind me of MillionYoung /dreamy synth Beach House-like vocals/Air France beach goodness.

It all started with the Happy High EP released this past April, followed closely by Let’s Move Together EP in May and Summer Heart in June, available for digital download currently on their bandcamp site. AND, just announced today– the Summer Heart 12″ vinyl is coming out on Arcade Sound Ltd on September 28- so look out for that.

Blackbird Blackbird is also playing a show tonight in LA with fellow Arcade Sound artists Teen Daze and Gobble Gobble and some other fun sounding bands.

Check out an original and a cover below…just when I thought I didn’t need to hear Modest Mouse’s most acclaimed track Float On again, (since it has been repeated countless times because it does kick some major ass), Blackbird Blackbird recreates the song into a synth dance blast that maintains its initial appeal but extends it to further awesomeness.

Check it out:

Blackbird Blackbird Cover — Modest Mouse Float On

Blackbird Blackbird — Letting Go

Buy the album or individual tracks here

Dance duo, Teen Daze from Vancouver are about to break-the-f-out, while they’ve gotten some solid attention it’s only a matter of time before that accelerates as they gear up for their new EP release “Four More Years.” The EP will be released on Arcade Sound, the label/management company, based out of Knoxville, TN, known to specialize in digital/limited edition vinyl and cassette releases (awesome). Some of Arcade Sound’s artists are forthebeat favorites including Boston based Magic Man and South Carolina’s Coma Cinema, who both played our summer and spring show, respectively.

Arcade Sound is a true pioneer in the chillwave force, and Teen Daze is no exception to their exemplary roster, however not as chillwave as fellow AS artist MillionYoung, but definitely on the same track, with an underlying dance tone. While there are some solid originals from the duo, the clear standout for me are their remixes. They’ve remixed a ton of tracks to near dance perfection including Local Natives, Japandroids, Yeasayer, and one of the latest ftb discoveries: Gobble Gobble and their standout single “Lawn Knives.” Some CA performances coming up, lucky west coasters.

PB&J remixes for lunch? yes please:

Local Natives – Wide Eyes (Teen Daze Remix)

Japandroids – Wet Hair (Teen Daze Remix)

You can now buy the album: support the artist and buy Four More Years.

I wanted to post on Three Leaves and A Head, a very special pianist from Paris. There is not much known about him; in 2008 he released 2 remixes of Radiohead tracks from In Rainbows and I have been waiting for something to follow ever since. Nothing has followed…:( If anyone knows differently, please let me know but nevertheless, every time I stumble upon these, it hits me the same. I had to share his remixes of Reckoner and Nude, which are exceptionally gorgeous renditions of the original, less a remix and more an evolution of the songs via classically crafted compositions.

Like Ripples – Radiohead Reckoner RMX (Three Leaves and a Head)

Naked Leaves – Radiohead Nude RMX (Three Leaves and a Head)

I love this. It’s perfect. Coma Cinema suggested this artist to us and yes, this artist is fun.fast.fannnntastic.

Gobble Gobble is Canadian based punk/funk/dance electro goodness. I listened to 4 tracks over and over on repeat and yes fell in love. Listen to everything but start with Lawn Knives and Boring Horror, both below. Then move on to something totally different that’s sweet + soft with Eggs in Carrion.

Gobble Gobble has been touring with over 161 consecutive  tour dates since June 5th – they are calling it the Mobile Rave Infinitour, and are plowing through the fall til end of November. Their latest blog entry also notes: “ps. we want to play YOUR CMJ showcase. yep, we’re that kind of band. ” love it.

Gobble Gobble – Lawn Knives

(also called Boring Horror – same thing? yes, i think so)

forthebeat was ecstatic to be able to chat recently with Caroline Polachek of Chairlift about the new album, its inspiration, why Chairlift’s aura is multi-colored and some advice to up-and-comings. Full interview below and some special remixes Caroline shared with us that Chairlift mixed for Passion Pit and Telepathe:

How is the recording of your new album going? It’s intense. We’re really excited about the flavor that the new songs all have in common. I can’t quite describe it yet, but they’re more overt yet more mysterious at the same time.

What was behind the decision in choosing London as the location to record? It’s a secret!

What color best describes Chairlift’s vibe/aura? Either aqua or ultraviolet… But not matte, it has to be illuminated, like from a LCD screen or the sky at dawn. In general i think pairing two colors together is way more evocative than just seeing one on it’s own. it implies a scene.

What city has been most inspiring in influencing your next album? Since we’re on the move and don’t get to stay in one place for very long, “the city” becomes an amalgamation of all the places recently visited. Sort of a dream, where features of different acquaintances get smushed together to be dream-person, that you kinda know and you kind of don’t. So i suppose that feeling of shifting pieces comes through on the record, of transience, of being a ghost passing through.

What’s a small piece of advice you would give to bands starting out that you wish you had? Learn to record yourselves, and make your own music videos.

Can you share anything specific about your new album? i.e. title, any song titles, theme, etc. There’s a song from the point of view of two cannibals in love.

Your fashion style is iconic. What do you attribute your inspiration to? I like the idea of dressing functionally- getting geared up for an imaginary event. Even if it’s just to go to the corner store, i like to dress for where i wish i was going. Sometimes that’s enough to make it happen.

Caroline also gave us two really amazing tracks to share that Chairlift remixed for Passion Pit and Telepathe:

Passion Pit – To Kingdom Come (Chairlift Remix)

Telepathe – So Fine (Chairlift Remix)

I wasn’t sure if JUICEBOXXX would even be around to answer an email but I crossed my fingers and pressed ’send’ asking for a short interview. Not only did JUICEBOXXX answer us within a few hours, his answers are more than we could have hoped for (and of course in all caps) Here you go:

Your 100 MPH video is pretty amazing. One of my favorite parts is towards the end at the diner. Why hamburgers?

HAMBURGERS ARE A GREAT TIMELESS AMERICAN FOOD AND I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING FUN WITH THE DANCERS IN THE VIDEO. MUNCHING OUT ON BURGERS WAS THE PERFECT SOLUTION!

You have played with some unbelievable artists. What’s one of your favorite artists you have collaborated with either for a show or for a remix?

TOURING WITH PUBLIC ENEMY WAS A TRUE HONOR. TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THE STAGE WITH THEM WAS LIKE A DREAM. THESE THINGS COME TRUE SOMETIMES. KEEP RUNNING KIDS!

What band that you haven’t played with already would you love to perform or tour with?

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, ALAN VEGA, BONE THUGS, KOOL KEITH.

What color best describes JUICEBOXXX’s aura?

RED WHITE AND GOLD

Your tour schedule sounds ridiculous. What would you say is the most memorable city/country so far and what is the one thing that you will always think of from that spot?

I JUST LOVE THE ACT OF TOURING. GETTING A IN A CAR AND GOING. I DON’T CARE WHERE I PLAY, I JUST WANT TO REACH KIDS. I’VE BEEN ALL AROUND, AND I LOVE IT ALL. TOURING IN ALASKA IN THE WINTER OF 2009 WAS A TRUE PLEASURE, WE RAGED A LOG CABIN IN THE WOODS OUTSIDE OF FAIRBANKS THEN GOT INTO A HUGE FIGHT AND GOT KICKED OUT.

Other than your music and your new blog, what other stuff are you working on that you want the world to know about? (i.e. an extensive magnet collection; a tshirt line, etc.)

I’LL BE COLLABORATING WITH A LOT OF HEADS IN THE UPCOMING YEAR, GET READY. TRYING TO KICK EVERYTHING UP TO ANOTHER LEVEL. I’M 23 YEARS OLD, I’M NOT A KID ANYMORE, I’M TRYING TO GET REALLY REAL.

What’s your favorite juicebox, JUICEBOXXX?!

LISTEN: LIFE IS A MARATHON AND NOT A SPRINT. DON’T START A BULLSHIT BAND IF YOU DON’T WANNA. LET’S ALL BE MAGNIFICENT FAILURES TOGETHER!

JUICEBOXXX – Hype

JUICEBOXXX – Hype (DJ Manaia Remix)

Frankie Rose and the Outs released on Slumberland Records (Pains of Being Pure at Heart) and just announced new tour dates for August thru October, including their home-base Brooklyn,  for 2 shows on August 14th and September 15th.

They’re proclaimed indie rock but should be called daydream rock. That’s not a category, but it should be. The photo above – yes, also daydream rock. If you don’t know too much about the band: The lead, Frankie Rose, has also played with Crystal Stilts, Dum Dum Girls and Vivian Girls.

One of my favorite quotes from her is: “For me, songwriting is more about evoking certain feelings than the lyrics or anything else. Hell, sometimes I don’t even know what the songs mean.” Awesome.

Frankie Rose and the Outs – Little Brown Hair Girls

Full tour dates:

Sat-Aug-14    Brooklyn, NY    JellyNYC Rock Yard
Wed-Sep-15    Brooklyn, NY    Glasslands
Mon-Oct-18    Chapel Hill, NC    Local 506
Tue-Oct-19    Baltimore, MD    Ottobar
Wed-Oct-20    Philadelphia, PA    Kungfu Necktie
Sun-Oct-24    Cambridge, MA    TT The Bear’s Place
Tue-Oct-26    Rochester, NY    Bug Jar
Wed-Oct-27    Cleveland, OH    The Spot at Case Western
Thu-Oct-28    Chicago, NY    Empty Bottle