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.

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!

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.

Brooklyn Based has teamed up for with Microphone Memory Emotion to throw a showcase at Matchless for Northside Fest this year.

Two of the bands playing hail from Ridgewood, NJ but seem to be just as at home in Brooklyn.

Fluffy Lumbers have been capturing hearts with their fuzzy pop.  I mean how can anyone deny “Cruisers” as one of the best pop songs for driving in a car with the windows down (or if you must with the windows up, and the A/C cranked…that was me in Jersey this weekend).  In addition to this pop classic Fluffy Lumbers did it again with “Adoration” washing their delectable pop in a haze of 80′s inspired electronics.  I didn’t think that a band could make another song as catchy as “Cruisers,” but Fluffy Lumbers sure did strike gold with “Adoration.”  Two songs from this young band who only has a single 7″ out, and that has since sold out.

[mp3] Fluffy Lumbers- “Cruisers”

[mp3] Fluffy Lumbers- “Adoration”

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

Headlining the showcase will be the big fishes behind the fabulous Underwater Peoples Records ….Family Portrait!  Family Portrait mix a retro pop with a little bit of country twang, doused in the beaches of New Jersey with their use of syths and electronics.  “Killer Statements” is another track where Mimoun, Ari, Sawyer rock out, and create the perfect background for Brody’s vocals.  Family Portrait are great guys that make wonderful music.  I wonder when we are finally going to get a proper release from the men of Family Portrait?

[mp3] Family Portrait- “Killer Statements”

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

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Brooklyn Based presents a Northside Fest showcase curated by Microphone Memory Emotion:

Friday June25th, 2010
at Bar Matchless
Family Portrait 11:15pm
Coasting 10:30pm
Fluffy Lumbers 9:45pm
Bermuda Bonnie 9pm
Doors at 8:30, $6

Matchless is located at
557 Manhattan Avenue
at McCarren Park
Greenpoint, Brooklyn

This should be a great showcase…I can’t express how much I like Fluffy Lumbers and Family Portrait…it will also be a great opportunity to catch Coasting, one of the most talked about duos in Brooklyn…who recently opened for Jeff Mangum, the Clean, and Portastatic.

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• more on Family Portrait here.
• 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 clickhere, to buy an all access pass click here.
• show poster by Friendship Bracelet

M. Pyres is a musical out lit that has a revolving cast of band members, and each recording seems to have a different band backing but always fronted by Mathew Sage.  M. Pyres & the Skygaze Family Band released Apart the Echo last year.

I honestly hadn’t heard of M. Pyres until they came recommended to my by Ryan from Mirror Universe tapes, and I immediately ordered Apart the Echo (Patient Sounds releases are so reasonably priced that you can afford to do that). Shortly after I placed the order I got an email from Mathew (of M. Pyres and Patient Sounds) with three downloads…one of the album I ordered, and two other M. Pyres releases.  Talk about customer service.  I listened to the other two recordings, but waited until I physically held Apart the Echo in my hands to play it.  I got this album in January, and have been trying to write about it since.

Apart the Echo is a vast album venturing into many different genres: ambient, folk, psychedelics of various forms, pop, and punk.  From the minimalist melodic melodies that present from the beginning of the album on “Rain Song” to the running a fine line between psychedelica and folk while remaining in the realm of pop music on “Sea As Myth.”  M. Pyres and his band show early in this album that they are able to run a full spectrum of genres, and as the album progresses it only gets better and more diverse.

Apart the Echo is interspersed with ambient or what appear to be tracks of found sounds throughout the record, and this gives a sense of anticipation and build up to the next structured song build along the way.  “Citrus Pome” shows the bands ability to write a great pop song while remaining true to Sage’s hollow yet soothing vocals, and “For Aporia” is what I mean when I say the band ventures into psychedelic punk territory.  “For Aporia” keeps a stays in the realm of pop music while incorporating an onslaught of guitars interspersed throughout the track giving it an aggressive and infectious feel, but just when it’s about to get really intense the band slows down and lets Sage’s vocals shine.  towards the end of the album we get “Rocky Surf” which brings vibes of living deep in a cave or maybe underwater, and making that place seem fun and interesting rather than cold and depressing.

M. Pyres & The Skygaze Family Band made an amazing record that embodies the mountains of Colorado.  It’s refreshing to hear a band that can blend genres and keep integrity of their  sound, and M. Pyres does this seamlessly through out Apart the Echo.

Take a listen to “Sea As Myth” and “For Aporia” and then try to snag one of the last remaining copies of the tape from M. Pyres on their East Coast tour which starts today:

[mp3] M. Pyres & the Skygaze Family Band- “Sea As Myth”

[mp3] M. Pyres & the Skygaze Family band- “For Aporia”

• you can probably buy a copy of the record here as well.

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M. Pyres has sent over two new tracks from M. Pyres and the Season Creeps.  These two tracks with the Season Creeps give us a view into M. Pyres’ mellow side that is ready to relax for the summer and jam…perfect for the muggy heat that we is bound to be hitting us this weekend.  These tracks have me so excited for the next M. Pyres release, and for their show at the CoOp 87 this weekend!

[mp3] M. Pyres & The Season Creeps- “Concord”

[mp3] M. Pyres & The Season Creeps- “Gravity Deluxe”

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Check M. Pyres & The Season Creeps out on tour with Woodsman:

• Tonight!  June17th in Washington DC (House Show) w/ Family Portrait
• June 19th in Brooklyn, NY @ CoOp 87
• June 20th in Pittsfield, MA @ Copperworks
• June 21st in Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Cafe Metropolis
• June 22nd in Cleveland, OH @ Believeland
• June 23rd in Chicago, IL @ TBA w/ Campfires
• June 24th in Chicago, IL @ Box Social w/ Campfires
• June 25th in Madison, WI @ Project Lodge

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You can also snag the new Patient Sounds Sampler with another new mp3 from M. Pyres on it…as well as some great tracks by Litoral Drift, Lush Cola (member of Weed Diamond), and more here:

[album download] Patient Sounds Sampler Vol. 1 2010

Track List:

• 1. Ambassador Engine – Nowhere Near the Beach
• 2. Cradling – Mug’s Game
• 3. M. Pyres & the Season Creeps – Miles & Days Ahead
• 4. Bingo Pajamas – Loose City Birds
• 5. Littoral Drift – Busy Days
• 6. Martha! Mother – Grandpa Organ Deuce
• 7. The Good Old Fashioned Sinners – Lost My Way
• 8. Kites Sail High – Bedroom
• 9. Pasture – n.

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• more This Week In Mail Order can be found here.

I don’t think I can get through this weekend of POP FEST without mentioning the banging after party that Pop Gun booking is throwing at Glasslands late night on Saturday.  I mean…not only is BOAT playing (who killed it at Bruar Falls last night, including a Guided By Voices cover! check out my coverage of BOAT here), but two other bands I’m been into pretty much the whole year.

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The Worcester, MA natives DOM are a band that I’ve been writing about since the beginning of they year, and it’s been pretty awesome to see them blow up over the past couple month.  They have become known for their dreamy, slightly trashy, basement party dance pop with just hints of glam, and lots of personality.  DOM’s debut EP, Sun Bronzed Greek Gods, was released by Burning Mill Records and sold out of it’s initial run of  tapes and cds more or less instantly, and the record is now pressed for the first time on 10″ vinyl with beautiful art work done by the one and only Jheri of GET OFF THE COAST (if you don’t read Jheri’s blog you should…one of my go to spots for new tunes.  The CD has also been repressed with the new cover art)!  Oh and if  you didn’t see it the album got a great review on p4k.

DOM said I could post another track of the album, and it’s a little number about love, or maybe more accurately about sex…but it starts off with something that people don’t realize initially…DOM himself playing guitar, and that singature crooning.  ”I Wonder” slows it down a little bit from tracks like “Living In America,” and really shows that DOM is actually a full band, and not just one person sitting behind a bunch of electronics producing blissed out dance jams.

[mp3] DOM- “I Wonder”

• Buy Sun Bronzed Greek Gods Here.

Go to this Pop Fest show, or check out one of these upcoming Brooklyn dates to see the three piece in action:

• 6/24/2010 Williamsburg, Brooklyn @ the Knitting Factory w/ Wavves and Cloud Nothings
• 6/26/2010 Williamsburg, Brooklyn @ Musichall of Williamsburg w/ Twin Sister, and more.

You can find reposts of some live videos I shot of DOM at Cake shop after the jump.

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This is a really big show for DOM because they get to open for BOAT, and the recent Sub Pop signees Happy Birthday!  Happy Birthday released their self titled debut earlier this year, and I think David Bevin put it best when he said they “make a two-faced blend of twee and grunge.”  What is not to love about that.  I mean…I do have to admit that I am a huge fan of King Tuff, Kyle Thomas’ of Happy Birthday’s solo project, and this Happy Birthday album didn’t hit me til the third listen but from there it was no looking back.  This is an album that his been on repeat at my house since I got the vinyl, and I can’t believe that this is the first time I’m talking about this wonderful band (the album is probs in my best of list already).

“Subliminal Message” is a woozy slow jam by these noise pop master minds.  While it’s guitar based the pulse of the synths can’t be denied.  Sonically hitting places in your head to actually convey to each and every listener and doing exactly what the song title implies taking you to a dream like state.  This song has been playing in my head all morning, and I don’t even have headphones on.  Probably my favorite track from this stellar record.  Happy Birthday is so catchy, and I think  this track just might start your affair with them if it hasn’t started already:

[mp3] Happy Birthday- “Subliminal Message”

• Buy Happy Birthday’s self titled LP here.

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NYC PopFest After Party
at Glasslands late night
May 22nd, 2010
BOAT
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
DOM
drink up butter cup
doors at 11pm

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• Happy Birthday photo by Abby Banks.
• more on DOM here.
  • live videos of DOM after the jump.
• more on BOAT here.
• more on King Tuff (Kyle Thomas’ of Happy Birthday’s solo project) here.
• more on Pop Fest here.

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