John K. Samson - Postdoc Blues

So your presentation went terrible.
All wrong dongle, sweat stains and stares.
Leave the TV on with the sound down low, in your underwear.
Don't despair, you'll get it right tomorrow night in Thunder Bay, maybe.
Don't delay, your day is short, you can't afford to wait.

I believe in you and your PowerPoints.
I know why you can't stay away.
Out on Highway One with a rental car and a lot to say.

"Postdoc Blues" is a fun (if a bit melancholy and apropos considering the events of the week) from The Weakerthans' John K. Samson. His new album Winter Wheat dropped a week or so ago and it's nice, soothing and a great way to wind down a fairly crazy week. He's also released a well done and whimsical animated video that's worth a watch.

RIYL: The Weakerthans, mewithoutYou, Bear vs. Shark, R.E.M., Propagandahi

Upcoming Shows

Republican Hair - I Don't Care

I spent 18 years, baby, 18 years
Underneath an exploding sun
They say it's all going down, baby, all going down
So I might as well have fun

So turn it up, turn it up
I don't care
Burn it up, burn it up
I don't care
If the world is blowing up
I don't care
Gonna do what I want
I don't care

Get a bottle of this, get a bottle of that
Yeah I'm ready for some beer with you
'Cause if it's all going to end, baby, all going to end
We might as well break the rules

Fun, fairly mysterious band that hasn't revealed much about themselves beyond absurdist nonsense - unless you happen to catch a live gig. (Doesn't show below, but they'll play in Nashville on 11/21). For the record, I don't feel at all concerned, as these lyrics would indicate, that the world is going to end. Still, thought this band/song were a fitting tribute to this US election cycle finally being over. 

RIYL: The Strokes, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs, R.E.M., The Cars

Upcoming Shows

Sundara Karma - Loveblood

Wasted with my arms out, whisper and a loud shout
Lost in the way she says my name
I'm such a creep
Fortune brought me lovers, shadow tarot colors
Fated to kill the sweetest things
One by one

Hey, what's that from above?
Is it love for blood?
Hey, what's that from above?
Is it love for blood?

Hiding in the silence, one-way form of violence
Taste of the thunder from her thighs
Makes me shake
Calmly kicking outwards, since she misunderstood
Walking along the razor's edge
As she sweetly moans

Bright and rocking, yet still moody and thoughtful, British boys Sundara Karma have pretty much solid gems in their brief, 3-EP discography. Really looking forward to their debut LP coming this January. Good news, if you live in L.A. or SF, they just added tour dates for you this morning!

RIYL: Catfish and the Bottlemen, Wombats, Young Rising Sons, The Hunna, Nothing But Thieves

Upcoming Shows

The Academic - Mixtape 2003

In my car there's a CD
A mixtape of 2003
A better time for both of us
With skinny jeans and roll-ups
We look back at our time shared
Yeah it's all gone and well who cares?
But I do and I tell you
It's a comeback for now

Looking back on those days
You and your mistakes
Me and my mixtapes
Nothing's gonna change the way I feel

It's Irish bands all weekend on TMIS! Young indie rockers, The Academic, classmates and brothers from Mullingar (80km west of Dublin), will happily steal your French fries and your airwaves if you give them half a chance. They caught some great gigs touring around the UK before and since their EP came out last year, including opening for the Pixies, and here we have their first new song since. Bonus: a fun genre-bended cover performed live. 

RIYL: Castlecomer, COIN, Early Hours, Delorentos, Knox Hamilton

Upcoming Shows

Enemies - Leaves

A place where I can be
A place where I can be
A place where I can be me

Think I'm gonna stay
Think I'm gonna stay

Alone, alone, alone
Alone, alone, alone

"Leaves" begins with intricate melodies and lush, ambient vocals that build, driven forward by powerful rhythms and riffs towards a magnificent, yet somehow relaxing crescendo. In other words, a new classic from my SXSW 2016 favorites, Enemies, who we previously featured back in May. Their new album, which I hear is also sadly their last, drops in early December.

RIYL: Minus The Bear, Little Comets, Foals, Adebisi Shank