Neon Indian - Polish Girl

With heat struck afternoons long through
Those idle dreams go back to you
The echo's seem somewhat displaced
Ever further from your face, I'm drifting off to
Bored of mere flirtations
That's what's made of constellations that I've sought
Was this only in my head
Just like most things go misread
When overthought

Mexican-American Alan Paloma grew up just down the street, so to speak, in San Antonio. He was making music under a couple of other names/bands before and concurrent with Neon Indian, which was the most successful. (Pitchfork listed the debut album in the top 20 of that year.) But "success" isn't always the goal of artist, we know, and Alan is on the fence about continuing to record as Neon Indian... he'd like to pursue filmmaking. So, let's check out his direction in this retro-look video for "Annie", which is also my fav single off the most recent album. 

Oh, but I'm super stoked to be seeing him (and band, including his brother on bass) tonight at the Mohawk! Glad they haven't quit the scene just yet. 

Upcoming Shows

Cottonwood Firing Squad - Caskets

I will wait for you through the ocean
I will wait for you through the sea
I will wait for you by the back door
If you'll wait there for me
Tomorrow's another chance to get high all on my own
Tomorrow's another chance to show you how it feels
How it feels to be alone
No one in this world can hold a candle up to you (x3)

Cottonwood Firing Squad has no current tour dates, no social media presence, no web page, no press (except one blog, similar to ours, that also mentions not being able to find any info on the artist). All I know for sure is that CFS seems to be one guy in Victorville, California. In this modern era of self publishing on Soundcloud, YouTube, and Spotify, he's managing to get heard from the middle of nowhere, without so much as a tweet. The title of his first EP made me laugh out loud (Wyoming and Other Songs to Kill Yourself To). I'd like to think he's cheered up for his first full length album released this summer (SIX) though it does include titles such as "Snuffing Out the Flame" and this one, "Caskets." But don't worry, it didn't bring me down at all! Experimental folk music, he tags it. Hard to pin down beyond "indie" some tracks are more beachy, pop-rock, a few lean hard on the folk/true country vibe. Hope this guy sticks around, he's an enjoyable afternoon of listening for sure. 

Upcoming Shows

Braid - East End Hollows

To be the one who never lets you go.
To be the one who never lets you fall.
To be the one who comes back home to you.
To be the one who calls you "home."
To be the one who keeps your chorus on.
To be the one who keeps you cornered.
To be the one who never lets you down.

Originally formed over ten years ago, Braid has been an on-again, off-again player on the indie punk scene. I missed their 2014 release No Coast and was a bit surprised when I stumbled somewhat blindly across "East End Hollows", looked to see who it was and saw Braid, a band I'd thought didn't exist anymore. No Coast is a solid album, and I'd consider it very true to their sound, which can be described as intelligent, emotional and enjoyable rock that kinda of just sticks with you. "East End Hollows", today's featured track, is the best of that sound, and a song that recalls what it's like to fall, and then stay, in love.

Upcoming Shows

Kehlani - CRZY

Everything I do, I do it with a passion
If I gotta be a bitch, I'mma be a bad one
I'm AI with the designs du-ragging
Bounce back game good, why we talkin' practice?
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Pull up score when I want to
Best thing, next to Heaven
They be tryna count me out though
I'm just countin', countin' blessings
A real woman bout her paper
Niggas don't know where I came from
Boy I really really came up
You never could say I'm lacking
All the shit that I've been through only made me more of an assassin
I kill 'em, I kill 'em, I kill 'em with compassion
And baby if they askin'

If you read some bios of Kehlani, you will think she was basically handed success: went to Oakland School for Arts where her singing talent was so obvious by 8th grade that she entered America's Got Talent (with a group) and was encouraged by the judges to go solo. She was signed to Atlantic, and her subsequent album was nominated for a Grammy. 
The other story is that her dad was killed when she was too young to remember him and her mom was a drug addict. She went to live with an aunt, and her talent for ballet got her into the arts school, but then she had a major injury... It doesn't change what happened next (transferring to the music department, discovering her own voice and songwriting prowess, etc) but it gives her the cred such a young talent needs to be believed - to not be dismissed as manufactured by reality television. 

Upcoming Shows

Eisley - Defeatist

I may have faltered in my life
But not with you, I couldn't make this up
I've had trouble disengaging my heart but I'll bite the grenade pin out

I fell in love with Texas family band Eisley years ago, back when I lived in Seattle. I saw them open for (someone I can't recall now, ha) and was instantly hooked by the beautiful, haunting and somewhat surreal melodies and vocals. I devoured The Valley when it came out and Currents is one of my all time favorites. I Still listen to it all the time, and that's a bit rare for me as I'm always hunting for the new and shiny.

Speaking of new and shiny, I'm digging "Defeatist", their new single, and I'm excited to get more new stuff from them. We're seeing them tonight with The Dear Hunter and I couldn't be more jazzed. If you get a chance you should as well.

Upcoming Shows