Mainland - Permission Slip

I'm pissed, I'm stripped
Of all my faith in everyone I miss
You talk, big talk
Like your so right and I'm so wrong
But I don't need no permission slip
I don't need no kiss on the lips
I'm doing fine, doing my time
Buying wine and drinkin' all alone at night

California grown Mainland mix a fun and carefree west coast attitude with polished yet gritty east coast heart, style and vibe. Their body of work, as far as I can tell anyway, is limited but very promising. They've got a couple of EPs out, and a few recent singles, which I expect means an album is on the way.

Today's Most Important, "Permission Slip" is a catchy indie rock anthem that brings a terrific "oooh weee oooh" hook to skippy dance beats. If that doesn't do it for you there are other options. Try "Beggars," a polished, sophisticated groove matched with an anthemic hook or "Outcast" for a nice, well-executed and upbeat indie pop cut.

Upcoming Shows

Day Wave - Drag

And I know that I still hang around
And I bring you down
And I'm just like that
You say that I'm too hard to find
And I don't make time
And I'm just like that

Hold me back
I don't wanna be a drag
It'll just make you mad
Turn me around
I don't wanna make a sound

I have always loved New Order, such a unique sound they have been able to carry from Joy Division days through the 80s, 90s, 00's to today. So of course I super dig Jackson Phillips, aka Day Wave, with his dreamy, low-fi sound and ability to perfectly cover one of his main inspiration bands (bonus track). 

Upcoming Shows

Blaenavon - My Bark Is Your Bite

My bark is your bite, but time after time, I lie because the mind says it's the best thing to do, for you.
The mind says it's the best thing to do, for you, my mind says it's the best thing to do.
My bark is your bite, it's like kind of right, but I lie because the mind says it's the best thing to do.
So I'll take one more chance, I'll dance if you'll dance.
I'll try because, the mind says it's the best thing do.
The mind says it's the best thing to do, for you.
My mind says it's the best thing to do.

I stumbled across Hampshire, UK three-piece Blaenavon this weekend and I think I found a new favorite. Blaenavon is named, I think, after a small town in Wales and while I can't seem to find a whole lot about them, I think it's clear they're a very talented young band on the rise. They don't have much out yet, just a couple of EPs, but I've listened to and I'm a bit obsessed at the moment. 

Every track is solid and it took me forever to pick a song to showcase. From "Prague" which gives off a bit of a We Were Promised Jetpacks vibe to the stellar "My Bark Is Your Bite" (their most recent, and my eventual choice) and the dreamy "Wunderkind" which got me thinking of one of my all time favorite bands, Gene. They also reminded me of times of Foals, Radiohead and Little Comets. So they're in good company. There is so much going on in their music, and I can't wait to hear more. Here's to hoping they've got a full-length coming soon, and, fingers crossed a US tour.

Upcoming Shows

PAPA - Hold On

If you let them, they'll tell you what clothes to wear
So every time you see some asshole walking down the street in your tee shirt
You wonder, "Hey, is that me?"
And if you let them, they'll tell which records to buy
Which sound nothing like the love you make
But would be the soundtrack for your misery

PAPA is, basically, your sexiest nightmare, a group of (spicy bold amoebas) guys out of Encino, CA. The lead singer is also the drummer, so that's fun. Their lyrics and sound are refreshing modern indie rock that is too irreverent to be hipster, and yet still too cool for school. I have a lot of favorites in their back catalogue, but off their latest release (Kick the Dust, came out last month) it was a real coin toss to share this track or "Comfort's a Killer" so I'm giving you a bonus track...  Happy weekend, all!

Upcoming Shows

Jagwar Ma - Slipping

Waste, oh oh
Waste, oh oh
Cause time is slipping away
Someone wait, oh oh
Save your soul
Cause time is slipping away so fast
Time is slipping aways so fast
So paint your pictures in your mind
In your mind
It's alright
We dance in circles 'til we're tired
Then we'll rise
Forever

There is something sort of "Manchester Scene-esque" about Australian duo Jagwar Ma. More refined, and with a polished, 2010's spin, but I can't help but think Stone Roses, or Inspiral Carpets when I listen to them. And I loved those bands, so you might imagine I'm really enjoying their new (sophomore) album Every Now & Then.

They've been floating around my rotation for a few months now, ever since the funky "O B 1" hit a few months ago. I was immediately recalled to the early 1990's when mixing strong dance grooves with indie rock was a new thing. Sure, you hear a lot of that now, but Jagwar Ma hits a bit closer to what I consider that original Manchester sound. You'll find more of that on Every Now & Then, but there's also great diversity there and the makings of a heavy rotated long player. 

Upcoming Shows