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.

A couple weeks ago I walked up to my front door and saw this:

Ok, so I know it’s no mystery…but I live in Brooklyn…and most people reading this blog know that only one thing comes in a package that size…a fucking 7″.  Worst case scenario is that someone stole it, and I never know and I contact the label and say it never showed up…right?

Nope, not in this case.  Enclosed inside that little package was this:

Yes, an irreplaceable contemporary artifact of indie rock.  This is not a record that could have been easily replaced, and thank you residents of Greenpoint for not stealing it.

Golden Girls are no stranger to the Great Pumpkin…you might remember them from here or here?

But to actually hear their guitar driven rock n’ roll on vinyl is a very special experience.   Golden Girls bring a classic rock, almost cock rock, element to their music…they can shred, sing, and perform. Which is exemplified by this EP…I like that they said fuck it lets do a five song 7″ and sell it for $5…those are the days I miss (by those days I mean when a 7″s cost less than $8, and have more than two songs), and the Golden Girls are bringing it back.

“Sixteen Candles” is a track that had been floating around for a while, but honestly I didn’t hear it until I saw them play Cake Shop several months ago…as good as the live version was, I feel the recording tops it.  The guitars shine and really show how much Andy and Ben can shred.  As the track comes to a close they slow down, and while a little noodly, they stay true to form and bust back in with ear shattering feedback and scream…100% rock n’ roll.  Just one of the many reasons you should own their ULTIMATE FREEDOM ep.

[mp3] Golden Girls- “Sixteen Candles”

Buy Golden Girls ULTIMATE FREEDOM ep (on 7″ or CD) from Burning Mill Records here!

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For those of you in Brooklyn you can check Golden Girls out as part of Northside Fest!

Pop Tarts presents an afternoon showcase:
Saturday June 26th, 2010
Golden Girls live at Glasslands
w/ True Womanhood, Dinosaur Bones
EULA, The Senors of Marseille, & The Great Unwashed

Please note Golden Girls will play at 5pm.

Additional Golden Girls dates can be found here.

For a little sneak peak check out this video of Golden Girls at Cake Shop:

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• More on Golden Girls can be found here (track reviews, mp3s, and live videos).
• More on Burning Mill Records can be found here.
• More this week in mail order can be found here.
• More on Northside Fest 2010 can be found here (eventually).

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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.

Please note that the Golden Girls I talk about in this post are playing Northside Fest, and not the Golden Girls that Northside links to from their website.

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.

Chris Leo is a musician that I’ve followed for many years, and until last year I did this unknowingly.  One of his first bands was Native Nod, and while this band might not be known to that many outside punk rock and hardcore circles it is still a discography that I go back to more often than one would think.  Last year I was introduced to The Van Pelt, and after listening to them and doing a little research I realized that this was the same person behind the seminal Native Nod (now I just need to track down these records by The Lapse).  Since the Van Pelt and the Lapse, Chris Leo has had various projects dabbling in recording, and many times producing recordings solely by himself.

But Chris Leo’s newest project is the combination of three recording sessions with three different bands, on three different continents….one from Barcelona, one from Puglia, and of course… one from Brooklyn.  Despite being recorded with three different bands, Leo’s newest album flows like it comes from one source, and uses New York City as a setting to tell their store.

Chris Leo’s Vague Angels’ bring us an album titled The Sunny Day I Caught Tintarella di Luna for a Picnic at the Cemetery.  This new album has a worldly vibe musically, using discordant guitar melodies, and rhythm in a repetitive manner to create a setting that can showcase Leo’s typically spoken, rarely sang, vocals. An album that will appeal to any fan of Leo’s, but also to people who love bands like The Hold Steady, Lifter Puller, or early Mountain Goats…and not because Chris Leo sound like any of them, but they will be able to relate to his spoken story telling vocal style, which I know is a big draw, at least for me.

While this album appeals to lots of different listeners there is something about it that oozes New York.  References to neighborhoods and streets paint a vivid imagery of the lyricists, and when geographical references are made you feel so much closer to the music when you are familiar with the setting or by chance walk on one of those streets or neighborhoods everyday…walking down Bedford Ave, searching all over Murray Hill or Kips Bay, ladies in Prospect Heights, and the list goes on.  When I said that the music is worldly, I meant it not only in the sense that the songs were recorded in different parts of the world with different influences and settings, but also in a sense that it could have all happened in New York…a place where all of the cultures, and influences could be present without leaving one city…and a place that Chris Leo has obviously spent a great deal of time in. 

The Sunny Day I Caught Tintarella di Luna for a Picnic at the Cemetery is an album about love, sex, people, and location told through the voice of a master storyteller that is better for one to listen to and absorb than read about.  On that note I present to you “So Lonely” the opening track off of Chris Leo’s Vague Angels’ new album:

[mp3] Chris Leo’s Vague Angels – “So Lonely”

• Buy The Sunny Day I Caught Tintarella di Luna for a Picnic at the Cemetery from Expect Candy Records here.
  • there is a limited edition colored vinyl version of this LP.  Only 100 copies were made.  
    

I have to say it’s amazing how this album flows from beginning to end, and just listening to one song doesn’t do it justice.  Pick up a copy, and listen in it’s entirety.  My favorites might be “I Know an Alter” and “I Did Not Find You In Kips Bay,” but really it is so hard to choose.  This album might not be for everyone due to Mr. Leo’s vocal style, but it gets better with each listen, and is possibly working it’s way into my best of 2010 list.

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• more on Chris Leo here.

R. Cole Furlow is better known as Dead Gaze, and is one of the many rising musicians in the Mississippi underground.  Dead Gaze has become known for singles like “Back and Forth” which showcase a scuzzy distorted form of rock n’ roll, but to pigeon hole him as lofi garage act is just out of the question.

Dead Gaze recently sent over a new track titled “This Big World,” which will be featured on a Clan Destine Records split cassette release with Gray Things. “This Big World” remains in the the garage rock realm with heavy distortion ala the likes of Ty Segall, but Dead Gaze have a unique pop sensibility that brings to mind indie rock in the vein of Jets to Brazil both in the tone of the guitar, the melody, and the vocals at times. This track touches me in many ways from the part that wants to thrash, all the way down to the part that wants to sing along and swoon. Cole has a way with music, and creates different dimensions within styles that seem to be very limited and constricting, and I feel that this new single shows just how well he can do this:

[mp3] Dead Gaze- “This Big World”

Pick up a copy of the Dead Gaze//Grey Things split from Clan Destine, eventually, here.

I’m not sure how I could talk about this new single with out talking about Dead Gaze’s amazing End of Days, Why Not You? cassette that was released on Mirror Universe Tapes earlier this year.

As I mentioned Dead Gaze have been getting written up for their distorted garage rock, but no one seems to mention, or post amazing tracks like “I’m a Mess When You Are Gone” a blissful song of psychedelic synth pop which is both mind warping and awe inspiring. It brings to mind psychedelic masters/care free rockers WEEN, and more contemporary early work of Gary War (ie New Raytheonport; download that album by Gary War for free here).  I mean this song is the final track on the cassette, and makes me wish there was ten more tracks of this woozy psychedelica to follow. Perfect for that underwater vacation you are planning or speeding down the highway, but in my case it will probably be the soundtrack to my next walk around Brooklyn…no matter where you are listening to it it’s genius can’t be denied.

[mp3] Dead Gaze- “I’m a Mess When You are Gone”

End of Days, Why Not You? is a collection of Dead Gaze’s previously recorded works, and runs the gambit of his ability and genre defying style. If you don’t already own it I would recommend picking up a copy for $6 from Mirror Universe, another awesome release coming from this South Carolina based label.

Buy Dead Gaze’s End of Days, Why Not You? from Mirror Universe here.
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• more on Dead Gaze here.
• more on Mirror Universe here.
• more This Week In Mail Order here.

These days it seems like there has been a huge revival of C86, Sarah and K Records influenced bands popping up.  I can’t count the times that I’ve caught myself making a Tiger Trap, Field Mice, Talulah Gosh,  Beat Happening, or Veronica Lake  references in the past year.  While I feel that a lot of the credit has been going to all girl pop groups for revival of this sound there is something to be said for perfectly executed boy//girl vocals.  And that brings me to Veronica Falls.

Veronica Falls are from Glassgow, Scottland (one of the cities were the C86 sounds originated) and consist of Roxanne (vocals, guitar), Marion (bass), Patrick (drums), James (guitar).  They have released, in my opinion, a flawless single on Trouble Records in the UK and Brooklyn’s own Captured Tracks here in the states.  The a-side of the single is titled “Found Love in a Graveyard,” and this original brings home the pop sounds of late 80′s UK and even sounds from the pacific north west of the same time period, but Veronica Falls have managed to intertwine a dark gothy vibe that not only come through in their imagery and lyrics, but also in their sound setting them apart from the rest.  The booming drums, chanting background vocals, and Roxanne’s crystal clear voice give “Found Love in a Graveyard” the sonic qualities to send chills up your, well my, spine.  Even the guitars have this hollow sound, and while the song is about finding love, even if it is with a ghost, it gives you a sense of being alone.  A track that evokes emotion, and one that I keep listening to over and over. Definitely a mixtape song to be saved for that special someone.

[mp3] Veronica Falls- “Found Love in a Graveyard”

The use of the male//female vocals is done so perfectly it makes me long for an LP by this budding band.  The b-side of this 7″ is an amazing rendition of Roky Erickson’s “Starry Eyes.”  This cover keeps with the dark vibe that their a-side portrays, and secures this record firmly as my favorite 7″ of 2010 thus far (yeah, I said it).

Unfortunately Captured Tracks has already sold out of this release, but you can try to buy it from Insound here…get it fast because I don’t think it will be there long.

or buy the Trouble Records version, with a different b-side, here.

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If you live in the North Eastern states you have several chances to see Veronica Falls (and maybe pick up a copy of this amazing 7″ in person) over the next week.  Veronica Falls is coming into the US for Elm City Pop Fest in New Haven, CT and the ever so wonderful NYC Pop Fest.  They have several shows surrounding these two fests too:

• 5/14/10 New Haven, CT @ Cafe Nine (Elm City Popfest)
• 5/15/10 Brooklyn, NY @ Glasslands w/ Crystal Stilts, Home Blitz
• 5/16/10 Brooklyn, NY @ Bruar Falls w/ German Measles & the Surprisers
• 5/17/10 Boston, MA @ Charlie’s Kitchen
• 5/20/10 New York, New York @ Cake Shop w/Sweater Girls (CA), Elephant Parade (NYC), Dream Diary (NYC), Leaving Mornington Crescent (Sweden),Horowitz (UK)
  • This Cake Shop show is an official NYC Pop Fest Show.
• 5/21/10 Philadelphia, PA @ Pi Lam

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Veronica Falls’ first Brooklyn show this Saturday, tomorrow, at Glasslands, and is particularly awesome, because if features not only NYC’s own Crystal Stilts but the amazing rock and roll of New Jersey’s bad ass HOME BLITZ!

Make sure to RSVP if you plan on going…shows at Glasslands sell out…so even if you RSVP get there early (you should be there early anyways to see Home Blitz!).

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• more on Captured Tracks here.
• more on Crystal Stilts here.
• more This Week In Mail Order here.

The Great Pumpkin and Future Stress Recordings present:

a Sonny & The Sunsets’ The Hypnotist 7″ Give Away!

You may recall back at the beginning of the year I featured this wonderful EP by Sonny and the Sunsets in my regular column This Week In Mail Order. The Hypnotist is a four song follow up to  fabulous LP Tomorrow Is Alright that Sonny released last year (one of my favorite records of 2009!).

This limited edition 7″ was pressed by Future Stress Recordings in limited quantities, and I’m happy to bring to you a Give Away of this wonderful piece of vinyl!

Here is the Deal:

There are two ways to enter:

• Comment on this post and tell us the thing you are looking forward to most this summer (big, small, beverage, food, let your imagination go wild).
  • Tweeting about the Sonny and the Sunset’s giveaway with the hashtag (#SonnyGiveAway) will increase your chances of winning (ie enter you twice!  click on my twitter, and RT me!)!
• Or email with “Sonny Give Away” in the subject to (tom at gprecs dot com).

Entries must be made by 5pm on Tuesday May 4th!

To give you a little taste of this piece of delightful pop check out “Stranded”:

[mp3] Sonny & The Sunsets- “Stranded”

Two winners will be picked.

The grand prize is the Sonny 7″ on Blue/Yellow swirled wax, and the runner up will get, the still super cool, black vinyl edition (all 7″s come with a free digital download of the EP too)!  Yes! that means there will be two winners…start the commenting and tweeting! Again make your entry into this contest by 5pm on May 3rd.

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For those who don’t win Future Stress is offering a sweet little deal to the readers of the Great Pumpkin!

• Go to the Future Stress website!
• Add a copy of Sonny & The Sunsets The Hypnotist 7″ to your cart (select NO COMIC BOOK).
• Then when you are in paypal mention The Great Pumpkin, or gprecs in the “Note To Seller” and get a copy of the wonderful comic book drawn by Sonny Smith himself for free!
  • Buy it now!
    • the EP comes with a free digital download too!

It’s a great record, and I’m happy to be working with an artist that I love and a great new record label.  Now enter to win, or buy this great 7″ now!!!  Those of you in Brooklyn should be able to pick up a copy at my local haunt, Permanent Records (they are big fans of Sonny!).

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• more on Sonny and the Sunsets can be found here.
• previous Give Aways can be seen here.
• more This Week In Mail Order can be found here.

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UPDATE 5/7/10: “Some badass responses…Thanks for the love & support for Sonny! …Winner chosen soon :)” -Future Stress Recordings

UPDATE 5/11/10: The winners of this give away were Jen from San Francisco and McGregor from Brooklyn.  Thanks to all that entered.  cheers!

Kevin Greenspon, a name you might be familiar with because he is the proprietor of the wonderful cassette and compact disc label Bridgetown Records which is home to Cloud Nothings, BYODeath, No Paws, Vehicle Blues, and Nicole Kidman, but there is a lot more to this man other than his record label.

While Kevin has been doing music fans a favor by releasing all of these wonderful acts he has also been super busy recording and releasing album after album of his own.  When I bought the Cloud Nothings on LP (my second purchase of the release) I took advantage of one of Bridgetown Records deals and picked up a copy of Kevin Greenspon’s cassette version of Bracing.

The cassette of Bracing was released by Obeast Tapes (Kevin distros his own releases), and included not only a beautiful J Card, but a digital download, and a personal note from Kevin himself.  I’ve been purchasing many cassettes over the past couple months, and Obeast has it down when it comes to packaging, and the music accompanies it beautifully.  A dark and atmospheric album mainly of guitar compositions that run the gambit of pop to beautiful noise.  Greenspon is great at portraying tone and emotion through music that has very little vocals, and when vocals are present they are understated so much so that the guitars feel like they are doing the talking. While at times Greenspon’s music can feel ambient overall it is a pop album, and I feel like it appeals as much to the fan of noise as it does to the fan of rock going from white noise to up-beat pop into a wall of sound, and even meandering psychedelica.  ”Petty Dream” is a song for exactly what the title describes.  I imagine it being the sound track to an a day dream, the importance of the dream doesn’t matter it is just that you are there outside of reality, and experiencing something that isn’t of this world.  With a constant melody throughout the track, white noise backing it up, and toward the end Greenspon even lets loose a bit on the guitar to give you a bit of heightened sensory experience.

[mp3] Kevin Greenspon- “Petty Dream”

This track is what I consider a great introduction to an amazing album, and on that note you should probably pick one up fast. Bracing is down to it’s final copies.  Pick your format, and get one before it’s too late.  Both versions were released in very limited quantities.

• Buy Bracing from Family Times Records on deluxe CD here.
• Buy Bracing from Obeast Tapes on cassette here.

Corridor is the follow up EP to Bracing, and in my opinion they work more or less as a double album. Corridor picks up where Bracing left off, and ventures into more repetitive tones, and slightly more into the category of noise or ambient than the instrumental pop of it’s counterpart.  With this EP Greenspon masters the art of creating space through sound.  As the title implies Corridor is an album that expresses space, and time, not only in the length of the songs but rather the distance the encompass in their sonic frequencies.  Greenspon recorded this album in City of Industry, CA and on the Central Coast, and I feel that the recording in multiple locations contributes to the depth and feel of the record.  ”Drift Away” is a track that I feel exemplifies what I mean when I say music that encompasses space using long tones, and minimalist melody, and ambient noise to bring you from one place to another.

[mp3] Kevin Greenspon- “Drift Away”

• Buy Corridor on cassette from Leftist Nautical Antiques here.
• Buy Corridor on CD from Bridgetown here.

Kevin Greenspon is always creating new things, and there are several other releases available by him at Bridgetown Records, and I’m sure new music in the works.  I can’t wait for more.  If you are ordering from Bridgetown take advantage of the deals…you will end up with something new and wonderful…I assure you of this.

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And a little present from Bridgetown Records:

[album download] Bridgetown Records Spring 2010 Sampler

Lots of great stuff on here…I’m personally excited about the BYODeath tape!

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More on Bridgetown Records here.