Thanks to the Shelflife Records Blog for posting this rare gem from Boston band The Maps. Released in 1979, “I’m Talking to You” is the band’s only 7″, and is an instantly likeable power-pop tune with great vocals.

Read more about The Maps here and if you are interested in getting more into the 70s/80s underground Boston scene, grab D.I.Y.: Mass. Ave.: The Boston Scene (1975-83) from Amazon.

The Maps – I’m Talking To You

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Back in the 90’s The Swirlies were the pinnacle of quiet/loud psychedelic pop. Their self-proclaimed “sneaky flute music” was a colorful sound collage of boy/girl vocals, noisy shoegaze and damaged electronics…and I loved every second of it.

The band took on a different direction after 1996’s brilliant album, They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons, some more line-up changes followed as well as some obscure releases.

Good news though…the band has just announced some fresh tour dates and one stop includes Philly’s Johnny Brenda’s (the one venue where the sound is consistently perfect)! Psyched! Here are the dates:

Thu 2/26 – Phila, PA (Johnny Brenda’s)
Fri 2/27 – New York, NY (Mercury Lounge)
Sat 2/28 – Our Beloved Cambridge, MA (Middle East)

(via catbirdseat)

What’s better than that? Thanks to the band, you can download all of their old music for free right here. I highly recommend that you grab What to Do About Them, Blonder Tongue Audio Baton and They Spent Their Wild Youthful Days in the Glittering World of the Salons in that order, immediately! Here’s a taste:

The Swirlies – Wrong Tube (From Blonder Tongue Audio Baton)

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The Swirlies – Two Girls Kissing (From They Spent…)

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