The Walrus is a Philadelphia-based music blog written by Michael. You may send me stuff through the send a tip page or email me. All mp3s should be sent as links. NO ATTACHMENTS, PLEASE. If I like your music, chances are I will write about it.
DISCLAIMER
mp3s on this site are for promotional purposes only. If you wish to have an mp3 removed please contact me.
• Congrats to Philly’s Dr Dog on signing to Anti- {Pitchfork}
• Do the Dirty Projectors stand for everything that’s wrong with the hipster mentality? {The Quietus}
• New Octopus Project video is really awesome {YANP}
• Architecture in Helsinki and Metronomy remix The Very Best (MP3s) {Discobelle}
• A list of the 20 loudest tracks of all time {NME}
• Danny Eccleston examines the roots of The Who’s classic psych album The Who Sell Out {Mojo}
{Blubber is a weekly round-up of music links from around the web including news, mp3s, videos and more. It’s the extra fat that helps The Walrus stay warm.}
Sun Airway is easily my favorite new band in Philly. They rose from the ashes of The A-Sides with a beautiful new sound that some might call Postal Service-y or Animal Collective Lite–but those descriptions would be cheapening it. Their debut EP Oh, Naoko is made up of esoteric, yet seemingly personal songs dressed in lush vocals and ethereal soundscapes. In short, it’s spellbinding. I sat down with the two members of the band, Jon (vocals/arrangements) and Patrick (arrangements), to discuss their origins, their EP and more…
Here’s a fun new video from Philly’s Gemini Wolf, featuring old-timey get-ups, crude visual effects and plenty of unreadable text. Eh, reading is overrated anyway…just watch:
“Sudseyfuss” can be found on the band’s newest album Synchronized Eyes,available now on Earsnake.
It’s a little passed the halfway point of the year and since I will not be posting again until next Tuesday or Wednesday, (heading to LA for a little vacation) I thought this might be a cool post to leave you with. In no particular order, favorites thus far:
The Big Pink are making a big stink..and for good reason. Here’s another great tune from the band and it’s their first official single from the forthcoming 4AD release A Brief History of Love. Classic hook. Thunderous beat. You’re SOLD.
New Zealand Indie legend Chris Knox, who is currently recovering from a recent stroke, will soon receive a heavy dose of good vibes from an incredible list of musicians who have submitted cover versions of his songs for an upcoming compilation entitled Stroke. Impressive:
David Kilgour, The Mint Chicks, Lou Barlow, Graeme Downs, Guided By Voices, The Mountain Goats, Jay Clarkson, Martin Phillips, Jay Reatard, Yo La Tengo, Lambchop, Shane Carter, Pumice, Alec Bathgate, Will Oldham, Jeff Mangum (OMG?!!), Bill Callahan, Lambchop, and The Magnetic Fields.
Apparently more bands are expected to contribute including The Bats and Olivia Tremor Control. Now that’s la la la la la love!
Wow! Check out these unreleased, possibly remastered My Bloody Valentine tracks that have just leaked online. All 3 sound like they are from the Isn’t Anything period, or the EPs in between that album and Loveless. As one member on the MBV forum points out, “Kevin Song” most likely never got past the demo phase. It’s a cool tune, nonetheless, as are “Bilinda Song” and “Cowboy Song”. The latter of seems to be the most completed of the 3, and is reminiscent of “Feed Me With Your Kiss”. Suddenly it’s 1990 again!
Art in the Age (the other blog I write for) just released this awesome new Tee of tour doodles designed by Brooklyn band Asobi Seksu. You can read more about it on their blog and purchase it in the store.
It’s always fun to hear what The Flaming Lips are up to next. Their forthcoming double LP, Embryonic will most likely be epic, but will it be a departure in sound? If this newly leaked track is a sign of things to come, well, it may be the case. Calling all fans of UK band Broadcast……
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s Alec Ounsworth announces his new solo album, which has some great song titles {Pitchfork}
Walrus favorite Weird Tapes remixes Peter Bjorn and John {IGIF}
Listen to an awesome new Thom Yorke song (sort of) {Stereogum}
Wes Anderson breaks down his perfect mixtape, just for you {This Recording}
San Fran’s Girls gossip about drugs and their forthcoming debut album {Guardian}
Blur’s Alex James makes cheese for Prince Charles {NME}
Stream a new song from Cali band Woods…’tis nice {Woods’ MySpace}
Brian Wilson discusses the soundtrack of his life {Guardian}
Listen to a Cee-Lo’s (Gnarls Barkley) remix of the Spongebob theme song {Streaming MP3}
Sweden’s folky sister duo, First Aid Kit, want you to suggest songs for them to cover {Twitter}
Go nuts with some Surf & Garage Covers from Lisbon, Obscure Latin Jazz and Cosmic Sitar Sounds {WFMU}
{Blubber is a weekly round-up of music links from around the web including news, mp3s, videos and more. It’s the extra fat that helps The Walrus stay warm.}
A new documentary, entitled Where Do We Go From Here, tells the story of the relatively unknown, yet seemingly influential ’70s Proto-Punk band, DEATH.
According to some, Detroit’s DEATH were one of the earliest “punk” bands to exist. Made up of 3 African-American brothers, David, Dannis and Bobbey Hackney, the band recorded 3/4 of an album in 1974 for Columbia Records. It was unfinished due to the fact that band refused to change their name, as demanded by label-head Clive Davis.
This year, thanks to Bobbey Hackney’s sons and Drag City, For the Whole World to See, a 7-song mini-album full of of explosive Stooges inspired, pre-Buzzcocks punk-rock can finally be heard.
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Stream/Purchase For the Whole World to See on Amazon.
Matador just leaked this MP3 from the forthcoming and highly anticipated Kurt Vile album Childish Prodigy is a wistful, end-of-day folky nugget that will put a nice finish to your day. So good.
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