New Artist: TEETH

Teeth released their debut 7″ inch this week, featuring the first single “See Spaces” and the track “Time Changes.”   You can purchase the vinyl or mp3 on Moishe Moise Records HERE.

Reminiscent of Crystal Castles, we can already hear a bunch of angry teenagers scream-singing-spinning out of control on the dancefloor.  Veronica So’s voice is much more clear though, but at times it sounds like she’s meant to back-up the intense synths and beats breaking out and overpowering her detached voice.

So is accompanied by Ximon Tayki (Electronics) and Simon Whybray (Drums).  The trio hail from London and don’t have any U.S. dates on the books quite yet – perhaps they’ll make an appearance at CMJ.

Teeth – See Spaces

New Artist: Blackbird Blackbird

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

New Artist: Teen Daze

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.

Summer Jam: Foster The People

This song makes me wish I put music to movie montages – specifically ones featuring roller discos, short shorts and giant gold sunglasses.

Los Angeles-based Foster The People were pegged as the band that would have THE hit song this summer with their tune “Pumped Up Kicks,” and it has definitely caught our attention.  In fact, while digging up info on the band, we realized we’ve heard this song before – when Pigeons and Planes selected it for the Blogwave Summer Mixtape we contributed to with DailyBeatz and a bunch of other blogs.

The 12″ single of “Pumped Up Kicks” is out on September 14, according to the band’s website.  But when is the full-length coming out?  I don’t know, but after the hype they’ve received so far, the pressure is on, so we should be expecting a pretty strong and well-thought-out debut.  Listen to the first single below, and for more songs (you’re not going to find the band on MySpace), you can friend Foster The People on Facebook HERE where they have a few more tracks listed.

Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks

**Artwork by Melissa Palmer Wassel

Three Leaves and A Head

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)

New Artist: Pop Winds

A friend of mine makes a monthly mix tape, just like our own SL, and this month’s highlight was Canadian band Pop Winds and the song “Met Some New Colours.”  Don’t you just love when people spell colors with a “u”?

Pop Winds is Austin, Devon and Kyle from Montreal.  The first two met at university and soon thereafter were joined by the third to become a trio in 2009 when they released their first batch of material.

The Turquoise is the band’s debut full-length, which came out in April, and is available as a free download on the Arbutus website HERE (you can also purchase a cassette, CD or vinyl).

The band is currently on tour in Canada, playing with bands including Feral Children and Grimes, so you will have to wait to catch them live.

The LP ranges a bit from straight up pop to atmospheric noise, instrumental at times and then just bursting out with powerful synths and beats that make you want to dance but also pause to just soak it all in.  I like Herohill’s description best: “noise filled, psych laced chaos.”

Here’s the lead track and song that first caught my attention…

Pop Winds – Met Some New Colours

And HERE is my friend’s mix tape, for your listening pleasure.

Le Miel du Mois: Aout

Le Miel du Mois: Aout is up on Et Musique Pour Tous!  Click on the link below to listen in full and download the monthly mixtape for *free* – the track list is below and here’s what I had to say about August…

Harder Better Faster Stronger is something forthebeat can relate to now more than ever – everything seems to be getting bigger and better. This month’s Le Miel du Mois is fast fun that I hope will rock your tape til it pops. Enjoy the last month of summer. Make it count.

Tracklisting:

Big Boi – Feel Me (Intro)
Juiceboxxx – 100MPH (AC Slater Remix)
Star Slinger – Mornin
Big Boi – Daddy Fat Sax
Fiveng – Jonah (Star Slinger Remix)
Pictureplane – Double Sets Of Lungs Now
The Hoof and the Heel – Fireworks
Ocelot – Beating Hearts (Louis Laroche Remix)
Error Love – Nightlife Souveniers
Star Slinger – Minted
Bronze – Horses

New Artist: Gobble Gobble

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)

Exclusive Voxhaul Broadcast Track

Voxhaul Broadcast is kicking off a national tour this month, starting out West and heading East for about 30+ shows between now thru October.  They’ll be stopping in New York City at Fontana’s on September 8th.  So head to the edge of Chinatown, pick up some dumplings and check out this band.

The four-piece from Orange County, CA was named one of LA’s Best New Indie Bands by the Los Angeles Times Magazine this summer – a well-deserved accomplishment for a band that’s been around for a coupe of years, and a nice accolade to boast as they embark on this tour.

You can check out some old tunes and bookmark THIS SITE for when the new material from their forthcoming full-length drops this month.  Meanwhile, here is a track I really love from an un-released EP…

Voxhaul Broadcast – Lost Along The Way

Exclusive Interview: Chairlift’s Caroline Polachek

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)