Don't Forget To Dance

White Rabbits - “They Done Wrong / We Done Wrong”

A six piece band hailing from Brooklyn that happens to feature two guitarists, a bass player, a pianist, and not one but TWO drummers?!  Sign me up!  In fact, if you guys are looking for a third guitarist who dabbles in the ukulele, accordion, mandolin, AND banjo to sit in as lucky number seven, then I’m your man.  LET’S TAKE THIS SHIT TO THE NEXT LEVEL!!!

In the meantime, check out White Rabbits’ sophomore album It’s Frightening (set to be released this May).  Not only was it produced by Britt Daniels of Spoon, but did I mention that they have TWO DRUMMERS?!

Born Ruffians - “Kurt Vonnegut”

Since today marks the two year anniversary of the loss of arguably one of the greatest literary figures of the 20th century, I thought it would be prudent to post a song of the same name: Kurt Vonnegut.

alindo, jamesthealcorn, and I all had the pleasure of running into this literary great on an almost weekly basis, and though I never had the chance to speak to him it was pleasure enough to just catch a glimpse of the man whose body of work had such an impact on me in my formative years.

Born Ruffians’ “Kurt Vonnegut” is an ass-shaking tribute to the man himself, referencing one of Vonnegut’s more interesting koans from Cat’s Cradle:

“Tiger got to hunt, bird got to fly
Man got to sit and wonder why, why, why
Tiger got to sleep, bird got to land
Man got to tell himself he understand”

The Pomegranates - “In The Kitchen”

There’s been a lot of buzz about pomegranates lately.  Everyone and their mother is doting on these “superfruits”, claiming they prevent everything from erectile dysfunction to cancer.  While I’m not so sure that Cincinnati-based band The Pomegranates provide any of said health benefits, I am sure that they still pack the same tangy-sweet punch as the fruit from which they get their name.

“In The Kitchen”, off their debut album Everything Is Alive (originally set to be posted by saltylips before I swooped in and stole this sweet-beat for my very own), is the kind of music I find reminiscent of what you can only find in the Midwest: thoughtful, artsy, atmospheric, nostalgic, but still poppy.  

Their second album is set to be released this month, but you can get your hands on it as soon as you click the “Buy Album” button in iTunes.

hellogoodbye - “The Thoughts That Give Me the Creeps”

As most of you are aware, I’m a sucker for the ukulele. I mean I’m pretty sure my heart strings were strung with Aquila Nylgut! So when I hear about an EP called Ukulele Recordings I’ll definitely give it a spin.

Now this album isn’t exactly indicative of hellogoodbye’s past work and, depending on who you talk to, this may or may not be a good thing. Me? … I find it to be a good thing. That being said, this song is probably one of the prettiest ukulele songs I’ve heard since Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s “Somewhere Over The Rainbow & What a Wonderful World”. I know that’s saying a lot, but SERIOUSLY I can’t stop hitting the back button on my iPod every time it ends.

The Miles - “She Knew”

Seeing as I’m not quite up on things when it comes to the Toronto music scene, I can’t say I know much about The Miles. I know that they are a trio of glasses-wearing recent high school graduates and that they describe themselves as

“Drawing from the classic sounds of surf rock, new wave and rockabilly, but charged with the hard attitude of 70’s punk and the cutting edge of electro, The Miles are a force to be reckoned with. But they also love you unconditionally.”

Other than that I’ll have to let their music do the talking.

Cryptacize - “Blue Tears”

When Cryptacize hit the scene last year I’m not quite sure I knew what to make of them. Perhaps, if I had just listened to Mr. Prophet-of-Pop, Sufjan Stevens, when he said

“These songs are not trifles, but rather cryptic haiku poems that expand toward a vast cosmic significance.”

then maybe I would have given it more of a chance.  Well, in anticipation of their April 9th sophomore release date, Cryptacize has distributed three new tracks at GVB, MOKB, and Stereogum, and this time around I’m kinda diggin’ it.

The Banyans - “Grenade On Course”

For those of you that don’t know me, there are two words in the English language that perk my ears up enough to make me look like the spawn of Will Smith gettin’ jiggy wit a doberman pinscher, and those words are “free” and “ukulele.”  Whereas “free ukulele” would be the ideal combination,  ”free music featuring a ukulele” is a close second.  That being said, the other day I stumbled upon a link that promised such a gift and I have to say I wasn’t disappointed.

The Banyans are an “unsigned” Seattle group featuring a 1968 Brazilian ukulele and genuine Hawaiian frontman named Andy Fitt.  Their sound is a little like The Submarines meet Israel Kamakawiwo, The Wallflowers meet Jake Shimabukuro, The Starlight Mints meet Jack Johnson. In any case, this song is a “Grenade On Course” for your eardrums! 

Download here!

Bodies Of Water - “Dear Boy”

For those of you that are seasoned Indie Blog followers then I’m sure you’re already aware, but for those that are less “in-the-know”, starting tomorrow you will be able to download for FREE L.A. compilation project RAM ON L.A. from Aquarium Drunkard.  RAM ON L.A. is a non-profit compilation of covers of Paul McCartney’s 1971 release RAM all done by L.A. artists.  This project is designed to raise awareness and encourage donations to No More Landmines, an organization that “helps and empowers communities around the world by removing the threat of landmines and unexploded weapons.”

Even though I’ve always been more of a George Harrison man myself, Paul McCartney’s RAM is a classic in it’s own right and I do have to say songs like “Monkberry Moon Delight” and “Dear Boy” are pretty much my jams.