Back To the Future the Ride (BTTFtr) is the solo exploration of sound by the one and only Brian Miller.  One of the people responsible for Friends Forever (if you haven’t seen the Friends Forever documentary, it’s one of the best rock n roll docs ever), as well as  the unearthly power that is Foot Village.

BTTFtr is about ambient tones, sound exploration, and constructing massive soundscapes to consume the listener into dark and  land that even in the heat and sun of the summer can make you feel cold and alone (and I mean that in the best way possible). BTTFtr is a band that is perfect for those days of deep meditation, contemplative reading, and as the case was yesterday a long dark subway ride that never ended.

Brian recently sent over this expansive track that is set to be released on his upcoming cassette , Neutrino Based Lifeforms for 5nakefork Records. It’s titled “When Jupiter and Saturn Align” that is sure to bring you to a place in time and space that you have yet to experience.  Using Windows 95 MIDI and other electronics to a construct dark oscillating, yet minimally melodic desolate landscape…beautiful noise rising from deep dark space.

I’m extremely happy to premiere this track on the Great Pumpkin:

[mp3] Back To the Future The Ride- “When Jupiter and Saturn Align”

• buy it, eventually, here.

BTTFtr have another release set to come out titled Pronoia Sunsets.  This cassette overall carries a lighter vibe than the track above, and the initial track “Zero Ghosts” shows a slightly more melodic side of Miller showcasing warm tones to creating a soothing dissension into the darkness that is a monster of a second track, “Sanity,” which boasts a run time of over ten minutes.  Pronoia Sunsets has be the sound track to my philosophical meditations since it was sent to me, and I hope it can do the same for you.

[mp3] Back To The Future The Ride- “Zero Ghosts”

• out soon on Accidie Records.
  

“Black Bones Inside the Sun Pink Bones Encircling the Sun” is also from the upcoming Pronoia Sunsets tape, and the video for the song was directed by Angie Meng:

If these teasers aren’t enough BTTFtr for you Death Bomb Arc is offering a free EP for your consumption… you can snag that here:

[album download] Back to the Future the Ride’s BTTFtr

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BTTFtr is going on tour with Universal Studios Florida this October!  (get it? it’s awesome!)

• Fri Oct 1 – at Cairo in Seattle
• Sat Oct 2 (daytime) at The Chapel on Reed Campus in Portland w/ Ghost Animal
• Sat Oct 2 (nighttime) – at tba in Portland
• Sun Oct 3 – at Heco’s in Oakland
• Mon Oct 4 – at Pehrspace in Los Angeles w/ Kevin Blechdom
• Tue Oct 5 – at Origami Vinyl in Los Angeles
• Wed Oct 6 – at UCI in Irvine
• Thurs Oct 7 – at Pomona College in Pomona
• Fri Oct 8 – at The Smell in Los Angeles w/ The Urxed (member of High Places)
• Sat Oct 9 -  at tba in Oakland (USF only)
• Sun Oct 10 – at Hemlock in San Francisco (USF only)
• Mon Oct 11 – at tba in Portland (USF only)

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• BTTFtr’s Tumblr
• follow Brian Miller on Twitter.
• Buy the Friends Forever Documentary here.
• Also check out Foot Village and Death Bomb Arc!
• picture of Jupiter via here.

I should have been on this months ago, but it took Bryant over at Part Time to bring it to my attention.

Family Trees are a Brooklyn based threesome that recently released a7″ on the quickly rising Father/Daughter Records. Ryan Trott, Amanda Finn, and Joe Pruitt make up the trio and as the title of this post/song suggests we get blissful dream filled pop. Gentle guitars and hazy vocals, complete with harmonies, comprise this short but sweet pop number. A song that is perfect for these thick humid end of summer days. Toward the end of the track the guitar takes the lead and rings out like a sudden thunder storm in the summer heat. Family Trees show restraint in this song using that catchy guitar riff only twice, when another band might use that single riff as the basis of an entire song. A sign of maturity and the ability to craft songs which is rare in a bands first release, and a promise of more great things to come.

[mp3] Family Trees- “Dream Talkin’”

Family Trees claim Phil Elverum’s Microphones and the Beach Boys as their influences, and hearing this track makes that apparent. A beautiful realization of two very different musical visionaries colliding.

On top of this wonderful single Amanda Finn, drummer of Family Trees, directed this video for one of the b-sides:

Buy Family Trees’ Dream Talkin from Father/Daughter Records here.

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Family Trees have been playing out around Brooklyn, but there is a prime chance to see this great new band tomorrow in Manhattan:

August 17th, 2010
Live at Pianos!
Julian Lynch (11pm)
Family Portrait (10pm)
Family Trees (9pm)
and
Guardian Alien (8pm)

If you couldn’t already tell by this line up… it’s filled with gprecs favorites…you might remember the countless times I’ve posted on Julian (who released one of my favorite records of 2009, and it’s looking the same way for 2010), and Family Portrait (great dudes who make great music)…there couldn’t be a better time to catch Family Trees than with these two acts.

If by chance you still don’t know Julian or Family Portrait here are some mp3s from the archives (all previously posted):

[mp3] Julian Lynch- “Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper Cover)“

[mp3] Julian Lynch- “Rancher”

• buy it here.

[mp3] Family Portrait- “Killer Statements”

• “Killer Statements”appeared on the Underwater Peoples Winter Review, with a ton of other great bands.
  • Buy it here.

[mp3] Family Portrait- “On The Floor”

• Buy their split 7″ with Andrew Cedermark here.

Keep up to date on Family Trees shows by following their blog!

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• more This Week In Mail Order here.
• more on Julian Lynch here.
• more on Family Portrait here.

Tonight is a big day for music here in Brooklyn, and even though I haven’t had great internet access over the past couple weeks I still need to let you know what is going on!

Death By Audio has a killer show happening with two of my favorite up and coming acts.  First is Swimsuit, a new band that features the one and only Fred Thomas and friends, making sweet surf pop.  Their debut cassette was pressed in an edition of 100 copies and sold out within a month!  This tape featured this blissful track called evaporation where one of the ladies in the band added some vocals to what has been so far just excellent instrumental surf rock:

[mp3] Swimsuit- “Evaporation”

• buy their new tape here.

Opening this show will be Philly’s own Pet Milk playing their fourth live show ever, and their first in NYC!  Pet Milk’s demo has been on at least a couple times a week since I first heard it, and “Cherry Outline” is probably one of my favorite songs of the year.  These guys are quenching my thirst for twee in the best possible way.  I can’t wait to see them in the flesh I’m sure it will be stupendous!

Although these were previously posted here they are again:

[mp3] Pet Milk- “Cherry Outline”

[mp3] Pet Milk- “Always Knew It Couldn’t Stay”

People Get Ready and Bad Indians are also playing too.

SWIMSUIT is also playing at Pizza Forest in Brooklyn tomorrow Saturday July 31st.

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Right around the corner from Death By Audio is Glasslands where New Jersey’s finest will be there in the flesh.  Not only will Mathew Mondanile, better known as DUCKTAILS, be there, but another one of my favorites…the one and only Julian Lynch!  Along side these two headliners will be Bathetic/ Mexican Summer veterans’ Campfires, another one of my personal favorites Big Troubles, and the up and coming Brooklyn group La Big Vic….all of which is being presented by  Microphone Memory Emotion!

[mp3] Julian Lynch- “Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper Cover)“

• Buy Julian’s music here.
  • Cyndi Lauper cover via Friendship Bracelet

[mp3] Ducktails- “Mirror Image”

• buy the mirror image 7″ here.

No matter which side of South 2nd and Kent Ave you end up on you are in for a treat, and if you get there early you can probably jump back and forth between both shows (if you pay for both!).  I’ll see you there.  Cheers,

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• more on Swimsuit here.
• more on Pet Milk here.
• more on Ducktails here.
• more on Julian Lynch here.
• more on Big Troubles here.

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I normally don’t write about two shows happening on the same night, but I love so many of these bands I had too…both shows will be amazing.  The heat broke so both of these venues should be pretty comfortable tonight.  No more 90 degree heat!

Hey, Ya’ll I’m on vacation!

But that isn’t going to stop me from letting you know that one of my favorite bands is playing two shows in New York City this weekend!

Ireland’s best…SO COW is back in the US, and their final stop is here in NYC!

It just so happens they are playing my favorite out door music series…and it can’t get any better because they are playing with THE OH SEES!

• TONIGHT July 16th: SEAPORT MUSIC FESTIVAL!
  • w/ THE OH SEES and Golden Triangle
• Tomorrow Saturday July 17th @ Death By Audio

If you are unfamiliar with these Irishmen you should take a listen.  They make some of the catchiest guitar pop out there right now, and have been my favorite band for about the past two years.  Today I’ll share with you one of the first tracks that I heard by these popsmiths.  It’s a cover of Television Personalities “This Angry Silence”:

[mp3] So Cow- “This Angry Silence (Television Personalities)”

and one of my favorites of the self titled:

Buy So Cow releases here.

Read all of my reviews, see all the videos, and a whole slew of So Cow mp3s right here.

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Next week I hope to catch up on lots of video posting.  I’ve had some gems building up on my vimeo and it’s time to unload them on you nice people…I also hope to finally get my wrap up of Northside Fest posted too…we will see this is vacation.

Until the next post….cheers.

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• more on So Cow here.
• This photo is from the White Lodge. If you would like to use this photo please link back to the flickr page, and credit the White Lodge. More posts featuring photos from the White Lodge can be found here.

Colorado has been producing a good number of wonderful musicians over the past couple years (ie see M. Pyres!), and one that I started to follow last year was the Fort Collin’s Candy Claws.

Candy Claws have been lumped into the whole chillwave genre that has evolved over the past couple of years, but in actuality they have been making music since 2006.  Hidden Lands, their new album, will be released on August 3rd on Two Syllables, this will be their second full length (third if you include the rarities).

Hidden Lands, much like their previous album In the Dream Of Sea Life(which seems to make it’s way back into my listening rotation at least once a month since I discovered it) in the sense that are both soundtracks written to go along with books. Hidden Lands is said to be  ”A musical companion to Richard M. Ketchum’s book, “The Secret Life of the Forest.”

It’s interesting that Candy Claws say they make musical companions,because in reality I feel that is the most accurate description for their music…they illustrate with sound.  Their music is heavily based in keyboards, electronics, and synths which they use to create lush soundscapes.  In “Sunbeam Show” you can even hear what appears to be bird sounds intermingled into their orchestral like arrangements that encompass you and bring you to a far off place.  This is one of my favorite bands to listen to when I’m reading, especially in the park (man, I wish that happened more often).  The “Sunbeam Show” is the first single to emerge from Hidden Lands, and leaves an air of mystery to the LP (an LP I think will be hitting year end lists).

[mp3] Candy Claws- “Sunbeam Show”

I can’t wait to see this Hidden Lands on vinyl…I’m sure it will be glorious…the band should have CDs on their current tour.  See the tour dates below.

If you haven’t already snagged their great rarities download called Glacier Prey do that now:

[free album download] Candy Claws- Glacier Prey

Or expierence the wonderful world of In the Dream of Sea Life…which I highly recommend it.  A beautiful album overlooked by way too many.  Buy/stream  it here.

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Candy Claws have ventured out from Colorado to play for us on the East Coast!

• Tonight, July 13th 2010- New York, NY @ Pianos w/ We Are Country Mice
• Wednesday July 14th, 2010- Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands w/ Pepper Rabbit, Blair, Baby Alpaca

and the Midwest too:

• 7/16 – The Cave – Chicago, IL
• 7/17 – The Empty Bottle – Chicago, IL w/ BEST COAST!!!!
• 7/19 – Vaudville Mews – Des Moines, IA
• 7/20 – Record Bar – Kansas City, MO
• 7/22 – Skylark Lounge – Denver, CO
• 7/24 – Capital Hill House – Seattle, WA
• 7/26 – Rotture – Portland, OR
• 7/28 – The Hemlock – San Francisco, CA
• 7/29 – Crepe Place – Santa Cruz, CA
• 7/30 – Spaceland – Los Angeles, CA
• 7/31 – Beauty Bar – Las Vegas, NV

One of Candy Claws cars just burned to the ground in an accident….thankfully everyone is safe.  If you see them on these live dates buy some merch, and help them out!  Or donate to help them here.

Candy Claws is not to be missed at these very rare NYC shows…get out there and see them!

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• Candy Claws was just on p4k’s RISING.
• more on Candy Claws here.
• band photos by Matthew Sage. Backgrounds and layout by Ryan/Candy Claws

Sore Eros released a wonderfully hazy psychedelic album last year, Second Chants, perfect for these hot days that we are experiencing here  in the North East, and today brings us a new track from the mind of Robert Robinson.

“Levitate” is a short sweet song with a wavering melody.  The hollow strum of the guitar carries the melodic electronics, keyboard, and if I’m hearing it right…melodica all as a background for Robinson’s vocals.  Sore Eros seem to be moving is a slightly lighter direction putting more emphasis on the folk aspect of their music, and it is working well for them producing delicate and beautiful songs(also see “Taal Compass” below).  ”Levitate” a taste of what is to come on the new Sore Eros album that is having the finishing touches put on it right now (or maybe it’s done).

[mp3] Sore Eros- “Levitate”

This track comes just on the heels of Sore Eros new 7″ on Blackburn Recordings, and just leaves you wanting more.  Second Chants was one of those albums that is hard to get a way from, and Robinson has the ability to make music that seems both psychedelic without being abrasive or heavy, while keeping an air of sadness to his music.   These new tracks are just the tip of the ice berg, and if the new album is half as good as Second Chants it will be an instant classic.  Check out the previously posted “Taal Compass” from the Blackburn Recordings release:

[mp3] Sore Eros- “Taal Compass”

• From the Taal Compass 7″, but it  here.
• Buy Second Chants here.

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If you are in New York this weekend you will have an opportunity to see Sore Eros live!

Saturday July 10th, 2010
live at Secret Project Robot
(located in Monster Island)
Aunt Dracula
Sore Eros
Amen Dunes
Inoculist
8pm//$8

easier to read info about this Williamsburg venue can be found here.

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Sore Eros also has some other live dates coming up too:

• 7/14- Northampton, MA @ 145 South Street (w/Julian Lynch)
• 7/23- Allston, MA @ Harpers Ferry (w/ Kurt Vile & Real Estate)
• 7/24- New Haven, CT @ Toads Place (w/ Kurt Vile & Real Estate)
• 8/9- Cambridge, MA @ Zuzu (21+, but FREE!)
• 9/24- Philadelphia, PA @ Pilam Human BBq @ Penn State (w/ gary war, city center)

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• more on Sore Eros here.
• more on Blackburn Recordings here.

Just over a month ago I posted a new track by Dead Gaze, and a review of his album End of Days, Why Not You? (check out that post here) and at that point he didn’t have any shows booked, but tomorrow night brings this Mississippi psych rocker to Brooklyn for a Group Tightener showcase at Monster Island Basement.

Dead Gaze have a way of making heavy psychedelic with the song writing sensibility of a pop band.  At the beginning of “Remember What Brought Us Here” it’s unclear whether the guitar or the synths are going to be the star of the show, and when it gets down to it they both really shine giving even more texture to Cole Furlow’s scratchy crumpled vocals.  The synths drop out just in time for the chorus, but jump back in just before you start to wonder where they went.  This song has been one of my jams lately, one that I go back to, put on mix tapes, and overall have just been rocking all the time.  Just another reason why I’m excited for new releases coming from this talented young Southerner, and his show here in Brooklyn tomorrow night.

[mp3] Dead Gaze- “Remember What Brought Us Here”

• mp3 via the bros at Weekly Tape Deck
  

Dead Gaze have a split cassette with Grey Things that is coming out on Clan Destine (which I think the track above will appear on), and I just heard from Group Tightener that they will be releasing a Dead Gaze 7″!

• Buy Dead Gaze’s End of Days, Why Not You? from Mirror Universe here.

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Andrew Cedermark will also be playing this show,  you might recognize his name from the various Underwater Peoples compilations, or his split 7″ with Family Portrait,  or his face from Titus Andronicus (he used to play with those dudes).

Cedermark is gearing up to release his first full length album titled Moon Deluxe on the previously mentioned Underwater Peoples (are those dudes on a roll or what).  The title track from his new album has been floating around for a while, and has really caught my ear.  “Moon Deluxe” is bringing Cedermark’s guitar playing to the forefront with a wonderful shoegaze inspired track.  He incorporates a little bit of country twang, and heavy nods to Phil Elverum though some of the melodies, and specifically his use of the percussion.  Think Glow Pt. 2 meets New Jersey via Charlottesville finishing with a twist of melodic noise.   This track is just a tease knowing that a full length on the way.

[mp3] Andrew Cedermark- “Moon Deluxe”

• there will be lots more to come on this album as the information is release.  so excited. 
  

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Please note Andrew Cedermark and Dead Gaze are opening this show…so get there early!

Friday July 2nd, 2010
Group Tightener & Todd P present:
Andrew Cedermark
Dead Gaze
Alex Bleeker & the Freaks
Coasting
and
The BEETS
live at Monster Island Basement
$8//Doors at 8pm

Honestly I’m most excited about Cedermark and Dead Gaze, but Alex Bleeker is always great and Coasting and the Beets are both fun.  Should be a great time.  If you are unfamiliar with any of these bands that I didn’t talk about at the beginning of the post…here is a taste:

[mp3] Alex Bleeker & The Freaks- “Animal Tracks (Mountain Man cover)”

• buy it here.

[mp3] Coasting- “Kids”

• Buy it here.

[mp3] The Beets- “Happy But On Our Way”

• Buy it here.

See you at Monster Island.

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• more on Dead Gaze here.
• more on Alex Bleeker here.
• more on Group Tightener here.

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UPDATE: Andrew Cedermark had to cancel.  sad.

Saturday night brings one of my favorite bands from my stoner metal/hardcore days back to Brooklyn.  It doesn’t even feel like they are back, but more like resurrected from the grave.  Florida is often forgotten when it comes to music, but No Idea Records has been running strong since 1985, and in 2002 they released the self titled album by South Florida’s doom metal masterminds’ Floor.  Even though Floor was from Florida living in the south didn’t provide me with any chance to see them,  but while working at 52.5 this record saw more than a couple spins in the store.

Floor’s first LP came a whole ten years after they began.  They became known for the more stoner doom metal, but in the end this album falls more in line within the walls of stoner rock or if doom bands some how knew how to incorporate pop music into their heavy thunder.  While it might draw comparisons to bands like Nebuala or Kyuss, Floor in the end is a much heavier beast.  Tuned down guitars droning hollow, but still decipherable, vocals are the key elements of Floor’s unique flawless formula combined with song writers like Steve Brooks and Anthony Vialon who obviously worked hard to give such a heavy band a pop sensibility that can appeal to even fans of rock n’ roll that tend to steer clear of the word metal. I keep referring to pop, and that probably sounds strange when talking about a metal band, but Steve Brooks has gone on to play in Torche who has even been referred to as bubblegum sludge.

Below you will find two tracks from this mind crushing record…”Return to Zero” is the second track off the album where the vocals ring out like an anthem with the guitars and drums crashing behind them.  Whenever I think of this album the beginning of this song starts to play in my head.  Even though I hadn’t heard it in a couple years (until this past month) it still rings out clear, and it’s exactly as good as I remember it.  If it wasn’t for the sheer heaviness of this band these songs would be straight up rock n’ roll, but they turn them into sludgey stoner masterpieces.  “Night Full of Kicks” starts off even heavier than “Return to Zero” but really shows how slow this band can get…the song trudges along at a crawling pace with it’s distant melody resonating in your head.  Finally at almost the three minute mark the music drops out and the vocals are the star of the show for about twenty seconds, and the doom kicks back in…it’s so perfect.

[mp3] Floor- “Return to Zero”

[mp3] Floor- “Night Full Of Kicks”

• Floor’s self titled album appears to be out of print. No Idea has pressed it on LP four different times.  I am unsure if it will be repressed due to the box set (see below).

On that note…Floor happens to be playing in Greenpoint this weekend, and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to catch them.  This album has been bringing me back to 2002 in such a good way, and I hope this show does the same thing.

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BrooklynVegan & 1,000 Knives present
a Northside Festival Showcase at Europa
Saturday June 27, 2010
FLOOR
Unearthly Trance
Javelina
Hot Graves
Doors at 7pm,
$13, click here for tickets, all ages

Floor also plays tonight in Philly:

• 6/25/2010 – First Unitarian Church w/GODS & QUEENS, JAVELINA Philadelphia, PA

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Floor is finally getting the royal treatment…typically only reserved for bands who sell platinum albums…from the well known metal/hardcore label Robotic Empire

It’s pretty rare when a band comes along that creates something truly unique. Scarcer still are multiple standout recordings from the same group. Rarest of all is one who amasses a large body of work that varies greatly, yet consistently remains impressive.

South Florida’s FLOOR were around for roughly 10 years and recorded well over a dozen times during their on-and-off existence. Nearly 100 tracks are the result of a decade of persistence amid overall underappreciation, and only in the wake of their demise did underground audio followers finally take note. Their huge body of work yielded only a few officially released records, and most of what the band recorded just collected dust in the vaults. Finally, everything ever laid down to tape by this truly ahead-of-their time(s) outfit has been compiled into one massive release.

From the living rooms and basements of 1992 to the studios of 2001/2002, FLOOR had an incredible evolution from the GODFLESH and early-MELVINS-inspired sludge worship, to the unrivaled sugary doom/pop amalgamation which would eventually pave the way for TORCHE, HOUSE OF LIGHTNING and others. The changes in sound from recording-to-recording means the sheer variation of style (and audio fidelity) witnessed throughout this collection is astounding, and when dating these recordings against what would eventually follow, it becomes crystal clear that FLOOR were consistently operating on that fabled “next level”.

It is with great honor and elation that we are able to present the Below & Beyond Box Set to you. After many years in the making, FLOOR is finally able to conclude their existence with this extensive collection. Ten 12″ LPs, one 7″ EP, eight CDs and a 32-page booklet of writings, photos, lyrics, artwork (and more) are all housed in separate jackets contained within a custom cloth-bound box. Each record comes on a different color of vinyl to match to the corresponding artwork, and two etchings accompany recordings that didn’t have appropriate flipsides.

We’ve made 305 copies of this deluxe box set, which is looking to be just a one-time pressing. (more info can be found here)

This might be the single most impressive box set ever made, and it will surely due Floor justice.

You can buy Beyond and Below here.

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• More on Northside Fest 2010 here.
  • Northside Fest is a music, art, and film Festival happening in Williamsburg and Greenpoint Brooklyn from June 24-27th.  For a complete schedule click here, to buy an all access pass click here.
• More Time-Slip posts can be found here.