Hippo Campus - South

| Kerri

Three leagues down the soft side of where you left my
Gold rose crown, you broke down, and left me with a
Chest hum, a black gun, and forty dollars
Chest hum, a black gun, and forty dollars

Three weeks down, I drowned myself in whiskey
Came back round, and drowned out, and left me with a
Chest hum, a black gun, and forty dollars
Chest hum, a black gun, and forty dollars

Streetlights talk the same way my mother told me
I walk the same way my father told me
Back straight, chest out, just like a soldier
Back straight, chest out, just like a soldier

Wise men talk the same way my mother told me
I walk the same way my father told me
Back straight, chest out, just like a soldier
Back straight, chest out, just like a soldier

Minnesota indie rockers Hippo Campus are clearly still growing as a band and willing to dig deeper as their popularity has dramatically increased the last year or so. Their first full-length LP (Landmark, just out) has some great tracks worth repeated hearings, but I wanted this to be their first Most Important, as it's is the hit that gained them their label signing IMO, and was my fave when I saw them play at Blackheart during SXSW.

RIYL: Colony House, Bad Suns, Bombay Bicycle Club, Knox Hamilton

Upcoming Shows

Junior Astronomers - That's Why

| Keith
I found no meaning listening to these fools
All this work just gonna make me dull
That's why
Wasting my time
Listening to Amy
At least she's right

The first time I heard "That's Why" by Junior Astronomers I thought it was a track from an old Cribs album. Seriously. So it was a bit of a surprise to find out that it's a new track from a band from North Carolina. They've got a few EPs, a few singles, and a previous record, 2013's Dead Nostalgia, which is quite good. Lots of raw, old-timey (heh) indie rock edge whilst still being abundantly approachable. It's good stuff. I'm looking forward to hearing a bit more from them when their new album drops later on this spring.

RIYL: The Cribs, Manchester Orchestra, Cloud Nothings, The Libertines

Upcoming Shows

Infinitefreefall - Beautiful People

| Kerri

Five steps away from you feels like an eternity
Something about you just says you won't get close to me
And i start to feel claustrophobic from everyone in my sight
It's like every single perfect person is in this city tonight 

All these beautiful people under these flashing lights
I swear i'll be one of them on one of these nights 

Stay alive til the weekend comes
Forget your name and fall in love
I want to be just like you 

I really like this song and have been waiting for a time to post it. It's ambient chill seems perfect for a Spring Sunday afternoon. I haven't been able to come up with much info about L.A.-based Maxton Stenstrom (aka infinitefreefall) so just sip your iced tea and listen.  

Upcoming Shows

PWR BTTM - Big Beautiful Day

| Keith
There are men in every town who live to bring you down
Make themselves feel bigger making you feel small
My advice is to look incredible
As you make their lives regrettable by being your damn self
God, it's so exhausting

I've sadly never seen performance art rockers PWR BTTM, despite a few chances over the last year. I'm really hoping I'll be able to jump on an opportunity soon. In the meantime I'll be enjoying their surprisingly Hüsker Dü-esque "Big Beautiful Day", and anthem to embracing the quirks that make us all unique and giving a big fat finger to the haters.

BONUS - the video. So much sparkle. :)

RIYL: LVL UP, Diet Cig, They Might Be Giants, Hüsker Dü, Car Seat Headrest

Upcoming Shows

Electric Guest - Oh Devil

| Kerri
Oh, Devil; I know you're afraid
Sometimes it's hard to learn from all your mistakes
Oh, Devil, I'm glad that you came
Yes, I should learn how to live because you won't go away

Someone's calling for me
Something's calling for me, again

Oh, Devil, I'm back for a while
To look a doctor phone, look for your number and die
Oh, Devil, I made my own hell
And deep inside I'm sure I got it all by myself

My last night of SXSW this year was a weird one. Bounced around from place to place with my friend, biding our time until the acts we really wanted to see came on much later... but fatigue and a faulty contact lens kicked in before then. Anyway, Electric Guest ended up being the last band I saw, so it was good to go out on a high note. With some definite funk, soul, and disco references in their pop, their whole set was really fun. AND I've got a truly fun fact for you: these guys also write songs for SNL/Lonely Island! (Yes, "Dick in a Box" is one of their co-writes, ha)

RIYL: Neon IndianSTRFKR, Miike Snow