Music Day!

Bands:

Wolf Parade
- Lovely Canadians, and probably the most established on this list; Filter Mag profiled the art from their new album At Mount Zoomer (out 6/17) in their Interpreting Album Art post. The band started when two of the members got together to establish a supporting band for Arcade Fire's early tour (think 2002/2003ish). They grabbed a couple additional members and released some early EPs, and then were signed to Sub Pop Records by that guy from Modest Mouse. Needless to say, they've got friends in high places and some nice talent to go along with it. Fortunately they're still on the indie circuit in terms of venues, so if you want to go see them live it won't put you in the poor house.

Tapes N Tapes
- A newer band; they just had their first big record debut (#116 on the Billboard) but they're getting attention in lots of places. Additionally, their new album Walk it Off reminds me of the 80s/early 90s, which is always a plus in my book. Just a few weeks ago it was holding the #1spot on the Billboard New Artist list.

Hot Chip - I had never heard of this band until they came to the 9:30 Club last month and everyone I know flipped their shit about it being sold out. Spiffy. Their album Made in the Dark dropped back in February and I have the feeling they'll be around for awhile

Be Your Own Pet
- These guys are EVERYWHERE! They, along with Tokyo Police Club, have been playing all the big festivals, including SXSW (at Showdown on Cedar St. no less).

Hercules and Love Affair - I heard about these Brooklyn natives through the grapevine, but it's obviously one of those "will of the universe" things because just after I checked into their disco/techno/punk rock sound, Liz Feldman mentioned them in her vlog and they got a spot in the May Soundcheck on afterellen.com. This is upbeat, interesting music, obviously creative, and yet they have that extra long interesting name and that shiny plastic indie feel.

Ladyhawk - This is a band that, honestly, isn't getting enough attention. They've got a sweet gig at DC Nine in a few weeks, but they deserve more. Out of Vancouver (BC) these guys are truly indie rock, a little harder edge than I usually listen to. It's a different breed of band than the others on this list, and thats because I like the raw music factor. They play what they know, and it works for them. They get love from the underground, but it's definitely time the music industry showed them the light of day.

Mates of State - You should know Mates of State. I shouldn't need to tell you about them. They've been around since 1997, and maybe they're a married couple but they've got loads of that great stuff we love called "chemistry". Indie Rock from Kansas. Go for it.




Music Festivals

Summer is the season for great music, and I know all the left-coasters had a fantastic time at Coachella recently, but everyone on the right-coast lamenting that they couldn't be there (and couldn't ditch work for a week long road-trip to SXSW) now have a couple of "decent" options coming up-

All Points West Music Festival - Liberty City Park
Jersey City, New Jersey
August 8, 9, 10 (Friday, Sat., Sunday)
Bands include Radiohead, Metric, CSS, the New Pornographers, the Roots, Mates of State, and more
a nice lineup with a decent set up, it seems, although their "reduce your footprint" efforts seem sporadic and insincere at best.

Virgin Mobile Festival - Pimlico Race Course
Baltimore, Maryland
August 9, 10
Foo Fighters, Wilco, Gogol Bordello, Stone Temple Pilots, Nine Inch Nails, The Go! Team, and a lot more.
the lineup is obviously bigger here, but the ticket $$ probably are too. additionally, it's at the racetrack? what?