Freelance Whales has a new video for "Generator ^ Second Floor." I've yet to view it because I can't for the life of me get my damn flash player to function correctly on my work PC, but I'm sure it's fantastic and should be viewed by all. Fingers are crossed I don't run into the same flash player issues on my home PC or Adobe and I are going to have words. (ETA: Adobe Flash Player and I are on good terms again and I finally got to watch the video. It's delightfully odd and conceptual - exactly what I'd expect from my favorite little hipsterish band. I've fallen in love with them time and time again after viewing vids of them performing on subway platforms in Brooklyn, so to not see them in their natural habitat felt slightly strange, but it is what it is. I'd take bands live and pretense free over a shiny video any day of the week, be it Freelance Whales or anyone else.)
Speaking of Freelance Whales, they are opening for Shout Out Louds at a pair of shows at the El Rey Theatre on May 20 & 21. Friday's show is already sold out and I'm now trying to nail down tickets for the Thursday show. If you're a fan and haven't already secured your entrance to one or both of the shows, you might want to do that now.
Stereogum (my absolute fave corner of the internet right now) premiered The Hold Steady's "Barely Breathing," which I really dig. Give it a listen.
Two new music finds of this week (or really, the last two days, but one is actually more like a month but I'm only just now listening to the album):
First up, The Daylights -
Rogue Machine (Don't Say That You Want Me) from The Daylights on Vimeo.
I've only just found them, but I really like what I've heard so far and I'm a sucker for a good music video that is all performance with the only gimmick being moody rock 'n' roll lighting. I also like that fact that electric guitars are involved. Seems like an odd thing to be happy about, but with all the folk I've been listening to lately, I'd begun to miss their sound and driving force. But I digress. The Daylights are playing the Troubadour on May 15 and I may or may not be contemplating wrangling someone into going to the show with me. Friends of mine, that was a not so subtle *hinthintnudgenudge* if you couldn't tell.
And the rec I stand behind tenfold: Sarah Jaffe -
A friend of mine recommended Sarah at least a month ago and with the influx of new music I've been shuffling through these last few weeks she somehow slipped through the cracks and it wasn't until two days ago that I gave her album, "Suburban Nature," a proper listen and I'm in love. I've had a little time to look at youtube vids and mini write-ups on a couple not so terribly reputable music sites and honestly, there's not a whole lot out there on her, which is surprising. But I don't think that will be the case for too much longer.
Folk's presence in the music scene continues to build with each day and every new and road weary musician/band that is finally finding steady ground to stand on and I think she'll soon find her footing. Sarah's music has been described as sweet, but I'm not sure I'd say that's true or does it any kind of justice. She's folk, yes, and she certainly knows her way around a melody, but it doesn't read as sweet. There aren't rainbows and puppies and cupcakes here. What there is is a certain weight, even dare I say, edge to the tracks. I'm also in the midst of fangirling over her lyrics. So if you stumble upon one of those reviews that claim Sarah Jaffe is some meek little songstress, don't be turned away or fooled. This Texan is more than meets the eye.
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