[MP3] I’M OBSESSED | Twin Sister
HOMETOWN: Long Island, New York
LINEUP: Eric Cardona (guitar/vox), Gabel D’Amico (bass), Andrea Estella (vox), Dev Gupta (keyboard), Bryan Ujueta (drums)
SOUNDS LIKE: Rhythmic rolling body waves captured in a bottle of glass shards
Without a doubt, Long Island quintet Twin Sister has stolen my heart (and my ears) today. And now as the sun is beginning to set, this band’s music is just what I need to ease me into the still and quiet evening while I furiously pen some poetry for my class tomorrow. Andrea Estella’s voice is sometimes buried beneath a wall of fuzzy reverb and tinny guitar (“Ginger”), and sometimes it’s sweet, drawn out, and lingering in the foreground backed by atmospheric swells and swoons (“Dry Hump”). And when Eric Cardona shares vocals at times, they create some light harmonies that make the tips of my fingers tingle (see video below).
Twin Sister translates their “wall of small” (what they sound like, according to their Myspace) recordings as well as their more sparse tunes surprisingly well in a live setting, so go and download their Daytrotter Session (free!) for your sonic pleasure and listen for yourself!
[MP3]: Twin Sister – “I Want A House“ (right-click, save as)
[MP3]: Twin Sister – “Ginger” (right-click, save as)
SONG OF THE DAY | Sharon Van Etten – “Love More”
Brooklyn-based Sharon Van Etten describes her music as pure folk. Simple and stripped back, her strength lies firmly in that emotive voice of hers. Etten is one of the rare artists that has possesses ability to grab a listener based solely on the heartbreak factor of her wispy croon. It draws you in by your heartstrings, tugging until you have no choice but to get drawn in. “Love More” comes by way of her sophomore full-length Epic, that was released earlier in September of this year via Ba Da Bing!
[MP3]: Sharon Van Etten – “Love More” (right-click, save as)
EYE CANDY: Sleigh Bells – “Infinity Guitars”
Brooklyn duo, Sleigh Bells, have just released the video for one of my favourite tracks off their gritty debut LP, Treats. High school + smoke + fire + dog = “Infinity Guitars.”
Picture this: Alexis Krauss decked out in ubiquitous Ray-bans and a letterman jacket (which also seem to be everywhere recently) walking in slow motion through an industrial alley with a bat in hand. Add some fire to that, and hello–hot (literally and figuratively)! Girl crush material, indeed.
Love the slow build up, and the cuts from grinning cheerleaders to the pyro-eaten pile of guitars create an eerie juxtaposition.
But how is this anything like real life, you ask? It’s not. We only wish we were this cool in high school.
EAR CANDY: Matt and Kim – “Cameras”
Cheery, too-cute-to-believe duo Matt & Kim burst onto the scene with the catchy and bound-to-make-you-smile, “Daylight,” from 2009′s Grand. It’s hard to believe the constantly smiling married couple hail from Brooklyn, NY. Whenever I think Brooklyn, I think hardcore. Well, this couple is hardcore happy and good for the soul.
Seriously. Kim never stops smiling when she’s drumming, and you can’t help but smile along with her.
They’ve just released their new single “Camera” which you can hear below) and it’s the same old Matt & Kim that we’ve come to know and love.
Follow them on Twitter! @mattandkim (and @mindfulearful while you’re at it!)
WHAT’S HOT: Lo-fi = the New Black
Best Coast (Los Angeles, CA)
http://www.myspace.com/bestycoasty
Bethany Cosentino, multi-instrumentalist Bobb Bruno, and drummer Ali Koehler (formerly of Vivian Girls) make up this aptly-named beach-friendly trio. Having just released their debut record Crazy For You in July, this sun-soaked, summer-drenched, cheery surf-pop record will having you wishing it were summer all year round.
Sleigh Bells (Brooklyn, NY)
http://www.myspace.com/sleighbellsmusic
Signed to M.I.A.’s N.E.E.T record label, this school teacher/former girl-group singer and ex-member of the now defunct post-hardcore band, Poison the Well, show nothing of their former lives. Together, Alexis Krauss and Derek E. Miller make gritty yet beautiful, fuzzed-out blood-pumping music.
Jenny and Johnny (Los Angeles, CA)
http://www.myspace.com/jennyandjohnny
One of the few successful child actresses turned singers, Jenny Lewis made a name for herself as the Indie Queen in beloved Rilo Kiley. Her and longtime collaborator/boyfriend Johnathan Rice, a singer-songwriter himself, have joined forces to present Jenny and Johnny. Their full-length LP, I’m Having Fun Now, isn’t out until August 31, but they’ve offered up 3 new tracks off the album and a free download of “Scissor Runner.”
