alt-J - In Cold Blood

01110011
Crying zeros and I'm hearing 111s
Cut my somersaults and my backflip
Pool, summer, summer, pool, pool summer
Kiss me
Hair the way the sun really wants it to be
Whiskey soda, please, your G&T is empty
Chairs, inflatables have sunk to the bottom
Pool, summer, summer, pool, pool summer
Kiss me

(Now you dive in)
Callie, let's dive, dive down
To the pool's bottom where we belong
Callie, we're sinking like a bleeding stone
All above crowd around so fucking loud

I first came across this trio from Leeds by seeing them perform on the big stage, second to the night's closer, at ACL a couple years ago. I realize that makes me less than hip, but I've been making up for that lack of alternative music knowledge with a vengeance since then - as this blog fairly proves. Anyway, they put on an impressive show then, and I'm really liking the new songs they've released now (this and "3WW") prior to the full album coming in June. 

Upcoming Shows

The Japanese House - Face Like Thunder

And you question your lover, did she really believe
That this new taste of love is obsolete?
It just couldn't compete and so you'll
Keep dragging your body through life by the hair
So you can say that you've been somewhere and you don't care
Of your receipt, you're sentenced to death and you can't be reprieved

Babe, you've got a face like thunder
Always trying to get in and under
Just stay still 'til I say it's over
Babe, you've got a face like thunder

Say sorry for what, for what, for what?
You know I didn't mean it
I said something terrible and I tried to redeem it
I can be so cruel but now I don't seem it
 

The Japanese House were another SXSW discovery, although unfortunately a casualty of my overfull and overlapping who-to-see wish list, didn't get to see [her] perform live. The solo project of Londoner Amber Bain, she chose the moniker based upon a childhood vacation, staying in a thusly-named cottage in Devon, during which she pretended to be a boy. England appears to be the capital nation for androgyny (amongst all the obvious music history examples that leap to mind, see also Eliot Sumner).

RIYL: Imogen Heap, Chairlift, Frou Frou, Christine and the Queens

Upcoming Shows

Bleachers - Don't Take the Money

Will we fight, stay up late?
In my dreams I'm to blame
Different sides of the bed
Roll your eyes, shave my head
Now we're stuck in the storm
We were born to ignore
And all I got is a chance to just sit
(I'm in love and you've got me, runaway)

You steal the air out of my lungs, you make me feel it
I pray for everything we lost, buy back the secrets
Your hand forever's all I want
Don't take the money
Don't take the money

I've been casually listening to 80s-influenced Bleachers (often featuring awesome guest vocals) for a couple of years, but only read up on who they are/he is this week! How fun to learn it is the solo project of fun. guitarist Jack Antonoff (pun intended), who has also co-written hits for Sara Bareilles, Taylor Swift, and Lorde, among others! It's so much more interesting to be a knowlegable/nerdy music fan. Anyway, looks like Antonoff is getting ready to release another album (his third) as this track is one of two singles released recently, matching his m.o. in 2015 leading up to the release of Terrible Thrills. I love a happy, anthemic, dancy music (i.e. 80s, i.e. Bleachers) so I'm looking forward to hearing whatever is next from this guy. 

RIYL: Walk the Moon, Smallpools, The Heydaze, Fitz and the Tantrums

Upcoming Shows

The 1975 - Sex

And this is how it starts
You take your shoes off in the back of my van
My shirt looks so good
When it's just hanging off your back
And she said use your hands and my spare time
We've got one thing in common it's this tongue of mine
She said she's got a boyfriend anyway

Throwing it back to the first album (first EP, really) for today's TMIS, with my ears still ringing from seeing Matty and the boys last night. Gorgeous stage production this time 'round, I'm so glad we went. Not only for the pretty lights and good tunes (nor for the preponderance of giddy young girls, who I'm pretty sure screamed enough estrogen into the air to add a few extra years pre-menopausal for all of us non-screaming absorbers) but also because it was at The Moody Theater instead of 360 Amphitheater which all similarly big acts are moving to when they come back to Austin, and then it's all ruined versus amazing sight lines and acoustics at ACL Live. Anyway, the Manchester hipsters really changed things up with their second album (Kenny G now on tour with them, ha) but the set flowed really well I thought. It'll be another super fun night I'm sure for those with tickets to the added second date here in Austin - or at any point of their ongoing tour. 

RIYL: The Wombats, Bad Suns, The Griswolds, Bastille

Upcoming Shows

Snow Patrol - Called Out In The Dark

It's like we just can't help ourselves
'Cause we don't know how to back down
We were called out to the streets
We were called in to the towns

And how the heavens, they opened up
Like arms of dazzling gold
With our rain washed histories
Well they do not need to be told

Show me now, show me the arms aloft
Every eye trained on a different star
This magic
This drunken semaphore
And I

(Many hours later than a usual post, it's bedtime already and thus I was called out in the dark to write up a song. Heh) It's been four years since we've heard from this lovely band out of Northern Ireland - and that last outing was a "Greatest Hits" compilation. I'm forever hopeful that Gary and the gang are going to keep on creating (and touring) together but for now, this cleverly written and belated entry to TMIS.

RIYL: The Boxer Rebellion, The Killers, Editors, The Fray

Upcoming Shows