A couple days before Twin Sister played Bruar Falls with Pure Ecstasy, Hunter from Infinite Best Records sent over a track by them called “Kimmi In A Ricefield.”  Twin Sister had been getting a lot of blog press, but this was the first track that I heard by them…and I was absolutely floored.  Hunter knew I was liked minded catching the White Lodge reference.

While Twin Sister’s sound is ever evolving “Kimmi In A Ricefield” is an instrumental track that evokes the eeriness of the woods, and not just any woods those of the Pacific North West.  Maybe it was just Hunter’s suggestion of hearing this song for the first time after a two week long Twin Peaks marathon, but it’s pretty clear that Twin Sister was channeling Angelo Badalamenti during the song writing process on this one.  This enchanting track diverges from Badalamenti influence with the use of light dance grooves, and echoing percussion creating something that is very much their own.  Even in a track like this that seems like this that seems far from a dance jam… Twin Sister can put their subtle touch on it, and make it entirely unique and with a bit of a indie disco edge.  The night that this song was sent over I sat at the computer, and listened to it over and over…I hope you have the same experience:

[mp3] Twin Sister- “Kimmi In A Ricefield”

“Kimmi In A Ricefield” is a master piece, and I can only hope to hear more music that sounds like this from Twin Sister.  This track has been available on Twin Sister’s website for quite sometime now, and will be featured on The Report compilation being put out by none other than Chocolate Bobka.

While their live set was very different from the track above that didn’t take away from their talent and showmanship.  Twin Sister was initially supposed to play before Pure Ecstasy, but they ended up headlining.  While Pure Ecstasy was great, but no one could have followed Twin Sister that night.  Extremely tight, and for a band I had heard very little of their music they truly blew me away.  This band is a pleasure to see live, and they have many tour dates coming up (see the bottom of this post) so go check them out.  I’m extremely happy with how some of my photos came from that night, and I am very excited to share them with you.  These photos are from the White Lodge.

If you would like to hear more Twin Sister you can download their fabulous EP Vampires With Dreaming Kids for free here.

[full album download] Twin Sister- Vampires With Dreaming Kids

Also keep an eye on Infinite Best Recordings for their upcoming 12″!
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Twin Sister is tour to and from SXSW!  Go See Them:

• Mar 6 2010 @ Coco 66 w/ Amniotic (Ex-Psycadellic Furs)–> Brooklyn, New York
• Mar 13 2010 @ Full House Gallery w/ Galaxies, Mount McKinley, Oberhofer, Secret Hideout–> Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Mar 17 2010 @ SXSW –>Austin, Texas
• Mar 18 2010 @ SXSW – Creekside Lounge –>Austin, Texas
• Mar 19 2010 @ SXSW–> Austin, Texas
• Mar 20 2010 @ SXSW – Karibu w/ Pure Ecstasy, Pearl Harbor–> Austin, Texas
• Mar 21 2010 @ MtyMx Todd P. After Party–> Monterrey, México
• Mar 23 2010 @ The Mink w/ Holiday Shores, Caliban Goodbrain–> Houston, Texas
• Mar 24 2010 @ Hailey’s Club w/ Holiday Shores, Writer, Manned Missles–> Denton, Texas
• Mar 25 2010 @ Proud Larry’s w/ Holiday Shores, Young Buffalo–> Oxford, Mississippi
• Mar 26 2010 @ Al’s Bar w/ Holiday Shores, Idiot Glee (Presented by “I Guess I’m Floating”)–> Lexington, Kentucky
• Mar 27 2010 @ Vollrath Theatre w/ Holiday Shores (Presented by “My Old Kentucky Blog”)–> Indianapolis, Indiana
• Mar 28 2010 @ The Bishop w/ Holiday Shores, French & Indian War–> Bloomington, Indiana
• Mar 29 2010 @ Daytrotter Sessions w/ Holiday Shores (Day Show)–> Rock Island, Illinois
• Mar 29 2010 @ Huckleberry’s Pizza w/ Holiday Shores (Evening Show) –>Rock Island, Illinois
• Mar 30 2010@ Halfway Lounge w/ Holiday Shores, Thin Hymns, Distractions –> Chicago, Illinois
• Mar 31 2010 @ Case Western University w/ Holiday Shores –>Cleveland, Ohio
• Apr 1 2010 @ Cameo w/ Holiday Shores –>Brooklyn, New York
• Apr 9 2010 @ Bowery Ballroom w/ Xiu Xiu, Tune-Yards, Zola Jesus –>New York, New York
• Apr 10 2010 @ The Middle East (Downstairs) w/ Xiu Xiu, Tune-Yards –> Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Apr 13 2010 @ First Unitarian Church w/ Xiu Xiu, Tune-Yards –>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Apr 14 2010 @ DC9 w/ Xiu Xiu, Tune Yards –> District of Columbia, Washington DC

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These photos of Twin Sister were taken on January 29th, 2010 at Bruar Falls, and are from the White Lodge. If you would like to use one of these photos please link back to the flickr page, and credit the White Lodge.

• more posts featuring photos from the White Lodge can be found here.

A couple weeks ago I wrote about DOM a band who at the time only had one single track, “Jesus,” and since then these dudes have been cranking out the jams.

“Rude As Jude” is the second track to come from DOM, and while it starts with rocking guitar line but quickly jumps into the basement dance pop that I was expecting after the fabulous first single “Jesus.”  Just when you think that the catchy guitar riff from the beginning of the song is gone for good it just back in and aligns perfectly with the chorus.  Maybe the most rocking track of the three, but still comes off in the same dreamy way that “Jesus” did.
“rude as jude” by DOM

Inspiring this post was the wonderful surprise to wake up yesterday to the third track from these guys, and its called “Burn Bridges.” What sounds like a song about loosing friends actually comes off as inspiring with the chorus like “Burn Bridges make yourself an Island.”  This track seems to have a sparkle that I haven’t felt in the other songs, something sonically that just tingles the ears. I didn’t think it was possible, but “Burn Bridges” might be taking over “Jesus” with the most listens for me, and that says a lot being that it’s only been out one day.
“burn bridges” by DOM

There is also another new track on DOM’s myspace.  Click through to check out this heavier live jam.

Hearing these tracks makes me very excited to live in New York, because on April 1st DOM will be releasing their album at Pianos! The album release show will also feature Buvette from Switzerland, and probably more.  If you have been jamming to these tracks I highly recommend hitting that show up.  More details can be found here as they come available.  These first three singles make me really excited to see what an album from these men brings, and I’m expecting very good things.

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• more on DOM (including a download of his first single “Jesus”) can be found here.
• all DOM tour dates can be found here.

tonstartssbandht is from Montreal, and was first introduced to me by the Friendship Bracelet Club Vol. 2 compilation where the demo version of “Black Country” appeared.  Friendship Bracelet has been curating amazing compilations (go here and check out the side bar to download/buy), and if you haven’t looked at Friendship Bracelet in a while make sure to check out their rad new header for the blog… I’m so ready for baseball season…Go Pirates.

The demo version of tonstartssbandht’s “Black Country” made me track down a copy of their full length from last year titled An When, and the album version of that song  is even more powerful than the demo.  An When was released by Does Are Records last year.

“Black Country” is a unique track that uses extremely heavy booming drums and percussion to create the beat and tone of the song, but musically it lies in a grey area between heavy psych and extremely dark folk.  There is a underlying repetitive melody that makes such a heavy track sound some what light. The melody has a tone of hope, and it adds a an additional element of mystery and wonder.  This song started off as just something that caught my ear, but has quickly become an obsession.  The vocals are haunting, and at this point I just wish I knew what the fuck he was saying…repetitive listening hasn’t really helped me decipher the the lyrics, but has just made hit repeat as soon as it ends.

Listening to “Black Country” while walking home from the train yesterday evening was a great experience…the sun going down but the last glimmer of light was reflecting off the snow, and it brought me to the cold dark place that this song brings me too, but in both cases the melody and and glow let me know everything was ok.

[mp3] tonstartssbandht- “Black Country”

• buy An When here.

“Black Country” isn’t the only song on An When that has this tone, but tonstartssbandht has one of the most eclectic sounds that I have heard in a very long time.  You can’t lump them into a category, and you should expect to hear more about them on the Great Pumpkin.  I’m sure this is not the last post, and I can’t wait til the Midnight Cobras 7″ goes on sale from Psychic Handshake Recordings.  Links to various record labels that have released other tapes, cdrs, 3″ cds by tonstartssbandht can be found on their myspace.

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This is part of my Speed Dating series.  You can read more about singles I have featured in this series here.

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The photo above was taken in Vermont on a holga using medium format film.  This photo is part of the White Lodge.

• more gprecs posts featuring photos from the White Lodge can be found here.

Slothbear have an album coming out this year called Qids. My first hearing the band was a couple months ago  when I grabbed the first single,  “Don’t Taunt a Tiger,” of either Pop Tarts or Gimmie Tinnitus.  ”Don’t Taunt a Tiger” is a well written up beat pop track that I enjoyed, and  I even made a note of…but it wasn’t until the b-side showed up in my inbox that I was really motivated to write about them.

“Killed By Cars” has a much darker tone than the single almost dwelling in the realm of post-hardcore or post-punk more so than the pop of it’s a-side counter part.  Discordant guitars, and  vocals start off this long six minute track.  Musically “Killed By Cars” brings to mind sounds of the 90’s, but not the sounds that we typically think of.  I feel that the influence of Pavement is strong these days, but it’s much more rare to get a  Silkworm or even just slightly a Fugazi vibe from a band, and that is what “Killed By Cars” does for me.  I’m always fond of 90’s influenced rock, and I think it is a phenomenal place to draw inspiration, but it is a welcomed surprise to hear a band bringing these dark sounds from that era to my computer and stereo these days.  About two minutes into the track there are some vocals, more the cadence than the tone, that are a bit reminiscent of  Moon and Antarctica era Modest Mouse (and if you listen I’m pretty sure you will understand what I’m talking about), but it complements the song in an unexpected way and is not over used.  The track even ends in a fairly lengthy guitar solo making me wish there was a little more from Slothbear to digest…I guess I’ll just have to wait for the next single.

An impressive second track from the upcoming album.   If  Slothbear is able to balance their light and dark sides like they did on this single it might just be what sets them apart.

[mp3] Slothbear- “Killed By Cars”

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This is part of my Speed Dating series.  For more on this series please click here.

Growing up in the South with all the cult churches and Christian altern-a-rock gives me enough reason to never want to hear another song with “Jesus” in the title, but when DOM’s single more or less starts out with “and the ecstasy is kicking in”  I’m pretty sure I can make an exception.

DOM is an artist that comes from Worcester, MA..which is a place I know absolutely nothing about.  Very little info is available about the band, but this first single is a guitar tinged electro pop is pretty damn infectious.  The type of thing that you would expect to hear in a really hopping basement party.   It’s been one of the tracks that I keep going back to from my recent downloading spree, and I have to say it is pretty painful that this is the only track on their myspace (actually another got posted today).  Take a listen…I bet you will be hooked too:

[mp3] DOM- “Jesus”

(via Get Off The Coast)

I can’t wait to hear more from these guys.

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Welcome to the new format of Speed Dating…one song/band that I am currently digging that has made it on to my mp3 player, and is getting repeat play.  I’m hoping to share more of what I’m listening to by focusing on single songs.  I hope you enjoy. More Speed Dating Posts can be found here.

The White Lodge is the analog photography of klk and myself.  We use mainly lomography cameras (holga, diana, diana mini, fisheye, action sampler, and a kodak brownie).   We will be updating this flick regularly as we get photos back.  Our camera collection keeps growing, and over the past month three new cameras have been accumulated.  I will be posting photos from our flickr often here on the Great Pumpkin.  I hope you enjoy the photos, and if you repost them please credit the White Lodge.

Above is a photo of Ms. Audrey Horne sitting with our Frank Zappa records (well they aren’t all Zappa, but many of them are).

I have a small collection of band photos from the past couple months, and I would like to share them with you now.

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Julian Lynch live at Bruar Falls

I’ve written a lot about Julian Lynch over the past couple months.  I love his music, and Orange You Glad is still on constant rotation at my house… and his split with Ducktails made my list of best 7″s of the year.  These photos were taken on January 4th 2010.

Weekly Tape Deck posted a track by Julian called “Sisters” a while back.  This atmospheric haunting number is full of the many instruments we come to expect from someone as talented as Julian.  It’s tones (specifically the ones created by wind and brass instruments) just give me the chills in the best way possible.  A version of this song will be on Julian’s upcoming second LP, and has been renamed “Ruth, My Sister.”

[mp3] Julian Lynch- “Ruth, My Sister”

• read more about Julian (reviews, mp3s, video, and more) here.
• thanks to Julian for the additional info on this track.

Big Troubles live at Bruar Falls

If you haven’t grabbed a copy of Big Troubles debut 7″ do it fast.  Keep an eye out for their LP on OESB.  This picture was taken on January 4th, 2010.

• more on Big Troubles can be found here.

Cloud Nothings live at Monster Island.

Cloud Nothings are blowing up, and I’ve been posting about them a whole lot.  These pictures were taken on January 16th, 2010.

• read more about Cloud Nothings(mp3s, live videos, and reviews) here.

Liturgy live at Market Hotel on Halloween 2009.

Liturgy is a powerful force.  You should listen to them.

• more on Liturgy (free set from the FMA, review, and more!) here.

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Please vistit The White Lodge for more of our photos.

• other posts on the Great Pumpkin that feature photos from the White Lodge can be found here.

While Astro Coast is being considered a 2010 release, Surfer Blood has been on many of our headphones since long before last week (see my previous post here), and while Astro Coast is nothing new to me I did find this little delightful surprise posted on the p4kast.

Surfer Blood’s single “Swim” was recently remixed by Allen Blickle of Baroness.  I like remixes, but when a pop gem like “Swim” gets into the hands of a well know metal musician I have to hear it.  Blickle gives this track the treatment it deserves, and even though I’m extremely familiar with  ”Swim” it comes out sounding fresh full of static, and a crunchy glitchy texture.  While this might not sound like a good thing believe me it is.

[mp3] Surfer Blood- “Swim (Alpaca Remix by Allen Blickle of Baroness)

If you haven’t already picked up your copy of Surfer Blood’s wonderful Astro Coast do so here.

Links:

• more on Surfer Blood (mp3s from Astro Coast, and more) here.

Compared to other blogs I’m a little behind on posting my best of lists…but I’m not beating myself up about it, and in fact I’m right on par for my lists from the past two years (actually a little a head of last year). Now that all most my guest posts up I’m finally moving on to my own favorites.

First up is going to be my favorite songs of 2009.  While I loved many songs this year these tracks are by far what I think of when I think of 2009.  If you have been following me over the past year most of these will come as no surprise because most of them come from artist I have been obsessed with for years.  All songs in this short list have been covered on the Great Pumpkin in 2009, and below the track will be a link to buy the album as well as a link to the posts I’ve made about the artist.

the great pumpkin’s favorite songs of 2009

in no particular order.

[mp3] Karl Blau- “Dark Sedan”

• my posts on “Dark Sedan” can be found here (mp3) and here (live video).
• other posts on Karl Blau can be found here.
• “Dark Sedan” appears on Zebra (K Records)
  • Buy it here.

[mp3] Ganglians- “Crying Smoke”

• my post on “Crying Smoke”
• other posts on Ganglians can be found here.
• “Crying Smoke” appeared on Monster Head Room (Weird Forest/ Woodsist)
  • Buy it here.

[mp3] Mount Eerie- “Between Two Mysteries”

• my posts on “Between Two Mysteries” can be found here (mp3) and here (live video).
• other posts on Mount Eerie/ Phil Elverum here.
• “Between Two Mysteries” appeared on Wind’s Poem (P.W. Elverum & Suns)
  • Buy it here.

[mp3] Ariel Pink & the Haunted Graffiti- “Can’t Hear My Eyes”

• my post on “Can’t Hear My Eyes”
• other posts on Ariel Pink can be found here.
• “Can’t Hear My Eyes” was originally on a 7″ that is now out of print (Mexican Summer).
• oops.  this came out in 2008.  whatever…I was obsessed with it in 2009.

[mp3] Real Estate- “Beach Comber”

• My post on “Beach Comber”
• other posts on Real Estate can be found here.
• “Beach Comber” appeared on Real Estate (Woodsist).
  • Buy it here.

There will be a best of compilation to come that will include all of these tracks, as well as tracks from my favorite albums of 2009.  Keep your eye on the blog for the zip file.

Next up in my best of series will be my favorite 7″, 10″, and 12″ EPs.

Other Info:

• the photo above of Phil Elverum was taken by klk and I on halloween at market hotel on a holga.  one of the best shows of the year.
• the great pumpkin had lots of guests contribute best of lists… find those here.