This playlist was sent to us from ‘Press Wolf PR’ promoting some of their bands that are headed down to Austin for SXSW this March. You can download all but one of the songs. Find more info on the bands and Press Wolf PR here. There are some band bios and links below…
Here is a bit about the bands on the playlist (provided by Press Wolf PR):
White Mystery
This brother-sister ginger garage rock hurricane is the definition of a party band. Last years’ Blood & Venom made a slew of Best Of 2011 lists and their super-fun warmer times video for “Birthday” proves MTV’s praise that “everything the White Stripes once pretended to be, White Mystery actually is.”
Mikal Cronin
It’s fair to say that Mikal’s self-titled debut LP out last year via Trouble in Mind was one of the sleeper hits of the year with praise coming in from Pitchfork, Brooklyn Vegan, NME, Impose, NPR, L Magazine and loads more. The record really is a revelation, full of Beach Boy psychedelics and ridiculously catchy tracks, recorded with Ty Segall producing and featuring guests like Thee Oh Sees’ John Dwyer. Check out “the hilly psychedelics and unshakable hooks” of “Get Along” for a taste..
After touring with Viva Voce, Alela Diane and Fruit Bats supporting last year’s Yearling, the Parsons are taking their lovely harmonies and inventive West Coast psych-folk on the road this spring with Blitzen Trapper, including a trip to Austin during the fest. They just did an intimate Daytrotter session and here are their Americana-celebrating, on-the-road videos for “Burning Up the Sky” and “Seven Years Ago.”
Apteka’s 2011 release Gargoyle Days was undoubtedly one of my faves of the year – stream/download lead single “Striking Violet.” Time Out went so far to say that “while it’s nice to see Billy Corgan again get his act together, write some proper tunes and not berate his fans, the fact is this local act is out-smashing Smashing Pumpkins. Apteka’s storming new Gargoyle Days makes the new Jane’s Addiction sound hugely unnecessary, too.”
The Right Now are an eight-piece outfit from Chicago that owe as much to soul and old-school R&B as they do to torch singers, big band recordings – classic yet still incredibly fresh. Give a listen to “If I Wanted To” for a glimpse into their old timey power.
Shawn Rosenblatt and his sometimes band/constant music project Netherfriends hit the road in April of 2010 and by April 2011 had played a show in every State in the US, met like-minded musicians along the way and recorded an original song dedicated, in some way, to a city in that State. Kilo Records is releasing the first batch of tunes from that project, Middle America, and here is the first song from the release, “Bloomington, IN.”
