The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 232

Finally it's Friday! Also, this weekend we have an extra day off due to Saint John festivity, so before heading to relax in the mountains (yes, we aren't fans of fireworks and the noise that goes along with this party) we bring you another round of our beloved TOP TEN JUKEBOX. Ten excellent songs for those who decide to have a different soundtrack to celebrate the summer solstice. Surely, it isn't the most mainstream music, although if you are regular followers of this blog, you already know that we love to search for new groups and rhythms against trending music tides. In any case, we urge you to press play and have a really nice weekend. And remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2019 Jukebox playlists

Week 214  Week 215 Week 216  Week 217 Week 218 Week 219 Week 220 Week 221 
Week 222 Week 223  Week 224  Week 225 Week 226  Week 227 Week 228 Week 229
Week 230 Week 231

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 211

Before beginning the weekend, which by the way, it seems that it will be stirred meteorologically speaking, we have prepared our latest TOP TEN JUKEBOX for you. Ten new options to enjoy and discover groups, sounds and stories (whether in English or Spanish, such as our beloved El Palacio de Linares) that will surely cheer-up any plan you have for these days of rest ahead. Take care and remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2018 Jukebox playlists

Week 171  Week 172  Week 173  Week 174  Week 175 Week 176  Week 177  Week 178 
Week 179  Week 180  Week 181  Week 182  Week 183 Week 184  Week 185  Week 186
Week 187  Week 188  Week 189  Week 190  Week 191 Week 192  Week 193  Week 194
Week 195  Week 196  Week 197  Week 198  Week 199  Week 200 Week 201  Week 202
Week 203  Week 204  Week 205  Week 206  Week 207  Week 208 Week 209  Week 210

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 188

First weekend of May coming to it's end and, in order to cheer up this rainy but busy weekend, and begin the week with the needed energy, here's our latest round of the TOP TEN JUKEBOX. Again the playlist is full of different musical styles, so please allow yourselves to dive into these ten songs and discover a whole range of wonders & possibilities. From the return of beloved The Goon Sax to the alt-rock sounds of A Festival, A Parade, going through the vintage rock of The Saxophones or the indie-pop of The Sideways, there's quite a lot to enjoy and discover! Have a nice day and remember, all tunes are available at our Soundcloud . (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2018 Jukebox playlists

Week 171  Week 172  Week 173  Week 174  Week 175 Week 176  Week 177  Week 178 
Week 179  Week 180  Week 181  Week 182  Week 183 Week 184  Week 185  Week 186
Week 187

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 178

Last week of February and the amount of exciting tunes keeps going steady into our radar (a.k.a known as inbox & ears), as you have the chance to see for yourselves in our latest TOP TEN Jukebox. We have killer pieces from heavily anticipated albums "dropping" just now, like the ones by The Orielles (get funky!), Screaming Females and Ought, plus the stunning new single by our dear Linda Guilala, alongside the usual dose of promising newcomers. All ready to join you in your weekend "adventures". And remember, all tunes are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)

Direct links to 2018 Jukebox playlists

Week 171  Week 172  Week 173  Week 174  Week 175 Week 176  Week 177

Primavera Sound 2015 in brief, day 2

Quickly following the previous post with the opening day, here's the quick review of our first "big day", Thursday 28th, at the Primavera Sound Festival 2015. Quite a bit to highlight!

The Good

The Replacements: Never been a huge fan, but seeing a band so damn solid at Primavera stage, with Paul Westenberg attacking relentlessly the tunes, having fun with the snippets, including Joy Division and the Jackson 5. And to hear 'Color Me Impressed', 'Left of the Dial', and the immense 'Alex Chilton' (goosebumps, goosebumps all over, is there a more flammable chorus?) was just memorable. Eternal songs, eternal band.

 The Replacements, rock left of the dial. Photo: Bloodbuzzed 

Viet Cong: With a couple of tunes extended to, imo, an unnecessary and pointless length, their show was flawless, fierce, tense, menacing. Here an explosive band with an incredible potential.

Viet Cong, march of post-punk-rock. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Black Keys: Awful, extremely flat sound at the Heineken stage for what it (on paper) was one of the biggest headliners of the Festival. I'm not a fan of their music, but I was hoping for a fun, playful gig. Regrettably, it wouldn't be the last time the sound issues at that stage appeared.

The Queen

Twerps: Have you ever had the feeling that, despite you are going to see a band for the first time, you already know it will be a great show? When there's no doubt you're are about to enjoy one of "these moments" only music can offer you? That's what happened with Twerps at Pitchfork. 'Range Anxiety' is one of the records of the year (won't waste any single second on this, IT IS, period), and indiepop gems like 'I Don't Mind', 'Back to You' or 'Shoulders', to name just three, proved. 45 minutes of pure magic, a perennial smile on the face of this humble blogger from start to finish. Once again, what would we do without Antipodean pop?

Twerps, the worst band name for such a wonderful band. Photo: Bloodbuzzed 

Brief of the second "big day" of the PS15, Friday 30th arriving as quickly as we can!

Discoverer 115: new indie findings

Three quite different, but equally amazing proposals for you to enjoy in our discoveries' this weekend!

Mikal Cronin. Let's start in Laguna Beach, California, with this incredibly skilled singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Cronin has been around for quite a while, being part of bands like Epsilons, Charlie and the Moonhearts, Party Fowl, Okie Dokie and, most known, playing bass and backing vocals with Ty Segall. In 2010 he began his solo career with 7" 'Gone', followed by 7" 'Tide' and his debut album 'Mikal Cronin' out in Trouble in Mund in 2011. The buzz started rolling so he got signed by Merge Records, releasing sophomore LP, 'MCII' in 2013, to unanimous acclaim. Now he's back with 'MCIII', out this month, completing the picture. The energy and loose joy of garage-rock packed with lush, brianwilsonesque arrangements and an unmatched talent for melodies. The time to tell (very personal) stories melted with the urgency of shimmering guitar lines and surprising bits of instrumentation. Found (just in time for Primavera Sound) a genius!

Funeral Advantage. Let's move to Boston, MA, to meet Tyler Kershaw. In 2013 he began his lo-fi bedroom pop project releasing a demo tape and split 7" with Caténine on Disposable America. But since then it has evolved into a full band with an impressive cv of gigs alongside Alvvays, Whirr or Craft Spells. This 2015 they have released the double a-side 'Not In My House / That's That' with The Native Sound and, in April, another split 7" with Former Ghosts, with debut album scheduled later in the year. Moody, reverb-drenched dreampop crafted with jangly guitars. Looking forward to Kershaw's band new tunes. Most promising.
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Murder Shoes. Glad to go back to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and introduce you another exciting band from Land Ski Records' roster. Here's an indie rock quintet, initially the music vehicle of Derek Van Gieson and Chris White under the name of A Marriage at Nevers. But they quickly found Tess Weinberg, Elliot Manthey and Tim Heinlein to complete the line-up. Murder Shoes was born and two EPs, 'Cash on Fire', in late 2014, and self-titled 'Murder Shoes', out now, demonstrate how powerful the combo can be. Guitar-driven indie rock with a shocking ability to morph into surf, immediate pop or a more atmospheric, dark post-punk, at their will, always with the irresistible voice (killer, killer, killer) of Tess Weinberg, reminiscent of Widowspeak's Molly Hamilton, leading the mix. Seductive and fun. What else can you ask for? Just one thing: more! 

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 51

Ready for another round of exciting music? Our Jukebox series reaches its 51st week with another TOP TEN playlist playlist including the tunes we have been enjoying the most lately. Like the unpredictable Spring weather, we have a really eclectic collection of tunes, full of new findings. A lot to listen & enjoy! And don't forget to join us at our Soundcloud blog page.

Direct links to 2015 Jukebox playlists
Week 36  Week 37  Week 38   Week 39  Week 40 

Week 41  Week 42  Week 43  Week 44   Week 45
Week 46  Week 47   Week 48  Week 49    Week 50

Discoverer 102: new indie findings

Finally having a weekend relaxed enough to prepare a new chapter of our Discoverer Series. One pretty heavy on guitars, enjoy!

Ex Hex. Already posted about them on a couple of Jukebox posts, so the expectations were extremely higher. Something understandable when you know this is the new project of the great Mary Timony from Helium, Autoclave and Wild Flag, along with Laura Harris on drums and Betsy Wright on bass. Hailing from Washington D.C, the power trio assembled in 2013, played a handful of shows, released the limited 7" 'Hot and Cold' on Merge Records, backed with two additional tunes, before heading into the studio in the spring of 2014. The result is 'Rips', a flawless album of pure, unapologetic, ridiculously pleasant indie-rock. A slap in the face to every single critic and/or pedantic hipster. Because in the end, this is what music should be, or make you feel: a fun as hell, smiling, shaking, liberating experience. It comes out in a couple of weeks and, needless to say, it's an absolute must.

Radical Dads. Formed by Robbie Guertin (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Lindsay Baker, and Chris Diken, who met in college in late 90s, and formed the band in 2008, after reuniting in Brooklyn, NY. Debut 7" 'Recklessness' arrived in 2010, followed quickly by album 'Mega-Rama' and 7" 'Skateboard Bulldog' in 2011. Another single, 'Torrential Zen', came out a year later, while 2013 saw them releasing sophomore LP 'Rapid Reality' and another 7", 'Creature Out'. The combo continues with their prolific career, now presenting a tape called 'Cassette Brain', out on Old Flame Records in early October. Energetic blasts in the form of intense pills of indie-rock devoted to the 90s (Pixies, Sleater-Kinney, Sonic Youth), channelled in Baker's powerful Baker's and a tone of guitar lines. Radical love.

Feature. And yet another trio, the one formed by Liv Willars, Jen Calleja and Heather Perkins, this time coming from London, UK, and active since 2011. Initially a duo (Liv & Jen), they debuted in October 2012 with EP 'Memory', a 5-track release to freely grab at their bandcamp or in limited cassette format via Cazenove Tapes. In May of 2014 came their second EP with 'Culture of the Copy' out in Tye Die Tapes and now as a trio they return with 'Tourists' EP, a 6-track split release with Slowcoaches taken from their upcoming tour, including 2 tunes plus a cover of Wire's "Mannequin". Raucous, distorted, raw punk combined with sweet-sounding vocal harmonies. Mandatory feature.

Discoverer 101: new indie findings

Our 101 post in our discoverer series is a special one: another trip "down under", but this time to Melbourne, Australia, where three exciting bands are ready to blow you away!

The Zebras. Pop veterans that started their career in Brisbane in 2001 when Jeremy Cole, Edwina Ewins, Matt Jones and Leon Dufficy made the move from Cairns and shoegaze, quickly supporting bands like Lambchop and The Shins, a most promising fact fuelled by the airwaves love of first single 'Car of Idiots'. In 2004 arrived their eponymous debut album on Lost and Lonesome, with sophomore LP 'Worry a Lot' coming in 2007, to much of acclaim from fans and critics. But then came frustration with Brisbane's pop scene, which provoked the group's disband. Although there was an EP in 2008, 'New Ways of Risking Our Lives' with Cole and Ewins introduced assembling a new line-up, The Zebras got in some sort of hibernation... until now, with the arrival of flamboyant new album 'Siesta', out since June on Jigsaw Records and Lost and Lonesome. POP in big capital letters, sumptuous, jangling, endearing, sun-soaked, with Edwina Ewins melting hearts vocals. Serious contender for the best-of-the-year albums lists...

Twerps. Formed in late 2008, this quartet were already supporting big names like Deerhunter, The Bats, Black Lips, Yo La Tengo and Thee Oh Sees within a few months of their first show. Their debut EP, 'Good Advice', arrived on Chapter Music a year later in late 2009 (also released on cassette at US by Night People label). Hype became a fact when Uncut magazine called them “best new band in Australia”, fostered in 2011 when they released single 'She Didn't Know' and 'Black Eyes', followed by self-titled debut album co-released by Chapter Music and Underwater Peoples. A new single, 'Work It Out/He's In Stock', and a tour with Real Estate came in 2012. Now, after a line-up change on drums, Twerps return to action with eight song EP 'Underlay', out this August on Chapter Music and Merge Records. Immediate pop, playful and unaffected. Lazy voices, crystalline guitars, killer melodies, lo-fi scent... Honouring their own tradition (hard not to hear echoes from The Bats or The Clean) while giving us an irresistible dose of immaculate guitar-pop.

Lowtide. Although technically, they began in 2008 as Three Month Sunset, built around the solo workings of Gabriel Lewis, the band's rebirth as Lowtide in 2010 was more than just a name change, becoming a full and expansive sounding quartet. That same year the group released debut EP 'You Are My Good Light'. Shows with A Place To Bury Strangers and Festivals with names like Caribou, My Disco and Toro Y Moi followed. 2011 seem the band releasing a two-track single entitled 'Underneath Tonight' on Departed Sounds, with more shows alongside bands such as Royal Baths, The Laurels or Beaches. On 2012 and 2013 Lowtide focused on playing and preparing their self-titled first album, which was anticipated this May by the mind-blowing single 'Blue Movie', and its out since middle July on Lost and Lonesome. Somewhere in between the lovely Ride and celestial Slowdive (yes, talking big here), Lowtide have created and extraordinary record, full of reverb and dreamy layered guitars, air-suspended vocals and lush textures. A dreampop classic in 2014.

The Indie Anthology 49: essential songs

And quickly following the latest one, another tune for our Indie Anthology. This time thanks to my bosses at Indienauta and a recent music read, who made me think, then go back listening, them. Welcome back my dear Nashville underdogs!

Song: Up With People
Artist: Lambchop
Year: 2000

"Countrypolitan" was the extreme weird definition some critics coined for Lambchop's music when their fifth album 'Nixon' surprisingly got praised everywhere in 2000 (if I'm not mistaken, it was proclaimed album of the year here and there). Luckily for me, I jumped on the band's bandwagon with this record, so I didn't know a thing about the alternative country / Americana debate surrounding them. No, to me, they were soul, pure and opulent soul blending with chamber pop, baroque arrangements and retro vibes. Lush, witty and in a singular way, uplifting. All fuelled by 'Up With People' and its eternal charms, which became one of my staple songs at university. The handclaps, the irrepressible backbeat, the relentless Motown bassline, the gospel surrounding Kurt Wagner's dry and deliberate monologue... “Come on, progeny” the songs unfolds in all its glory before slowly fading... and you can't help but keep smiling and whistling the melody. Yes, its a song about ordinary, failing acts & people “We’ll most certainly leave the doing, the doing undone”. But is more a comforting lesson: just laugh at it and keep doing while you try to enjoy the ride. A wonderful advice in less than five glorious minutes.

Discoverer 71: new indie findings

Back with a new dose of indie proposals for your ears only!

The Love Language. From North Carolina, USA, this combo is the result of a double rupture in 2008 for frontman's Stuart McLamb. First, the split of his former group, The Capulets. And second, a break-up with his girlfriend, which made him hide into his parents' house, where he recorded some demos that expanded into a full eponymous debut album released in 2009. A good critic reception and the invitation from The Rosebuds to open for them "forced" the creation of a proper band. Signed with Merge, their sophomore release "Libraries", came in 2010, and since this July we can enjoy now "Ruby Red". An indiepop blast with many faces, powerful and genuinely intense. Top-notch discovery.


Elizabeth Morris. I admit this is tricky, as Ms Morris is no other than our beloved Allo Darlin's leader, so, a discovery? She has the answer: "The last time I was home (Australia) I wrote songs on my great-great-great grandmother's 1850s piano. These songs didn't feel like Allo Darlin' songs. They were written during a turbulent time, and 've been floating around in my head ever since. A conversation with my friend Darren Hayman made me think that  I should record these songs on his ship's piano". The EP, completed with tune "Shoe Box" and a cover of Wave Pictures' "Sweetheart" is as delicious as you can expect, surprisingly intimate and affecting. 


Seabirds. Love at first listen. I'm serious. Matinee Recordings just found another unmissable new band for our longing indiepop ears! Only two tunes, I know, but what an incredibly promising start is the debut 7", out now, from this young quintet from Nottingham, UK. "Real Tears" is a stunning jangle-pop pill with rocking guitars and male-female soaring vocals that you will find very high on my best-of-the-year songs list, while backing "Oh Buoy!" takes a slightly softer approach without losing its immediate effervescence. MORE! We want MORE!

"Hospitality", indie-pop debut of the year

Hospitality- Hospitality

Yeah, I know, a big statement on the title, but Hospitality's fun, hyper-addictive, catchy as hell and quite peculiar, quirky indie-pop, deserves that sort of title for a post. If there's a better debut album this year, then 2012 should be one to be musically remembered.

The start of "Hospitality", the album, is unbeatable, terrific. "Eight Avenue", "Friends of Friends" and "Betty Wang". Upbeat, intricate indie-pop that makes you smile and "charge batteries". Full of melodies that stuck in your head, this is the sort of music that fits perfectly to walk/wander around the city on a sunny day. It will be a matter of time you'll find yourself humming along one of its irresistible choruses ("But I've got friends that are new friends"), or some of the one-liners where Amber Papini's shines. "If you leave New York/ I don't care, I don't care!" 

Because Papini's voice is one of the "miracles" of Hospitality. Kind of funny and strange (on Merge Records website, their label, they explain she learnt to sing with the English accent of Bernard Butler while listening to Psychedelic Fur's "Talk Talk Talk"), but also sweet, she will amuse you first, and then, once you have been disarmed, it will haunt you. Her peculiar vocal range and tone quickly becomes a trademark of the band, allowing to distance them from indie-pop standards. And Papini is a fine lyricist too, explaining stories in the songs that are not that unfamiliar for a whole generation of of twentysomething's-thirties trying to figure out what's next in their life, always with a refreshing wit and humour, not taking things too seriously.

There's a particular groove going on during the whole album, giving it a cohesion. Despite finding more languid numbers in its "middle section" like "Julie" (maybe the less impressive of the lot), the delicate "Sleepover", or "Argonauts" and "Liberal Arts" with its wonderful harmonies, towards the end, there's also space for some more fast-paced tunes, where guitars keep shimmering, intertwined with trotting drums and keyboards on "The Right Profession", "The Birthday" or the closer "All Day Today". Songs are wisely combined throughout the record, helping to make it a joyous, very fluent one. Like the good albums, "Hospitality" gives the listener the impression it ends too soon. So there's no other option that going for another "spin". Da-da-da-da-da-da/da-da-da-da.....

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