Hot? YES very much so. If they wanted a sexy photo to put out to the media, yep that’s the one. Autodrone is Rachel Luria – Vocals/Hottie, Jeremy Alisauskas on Guitars, Angel Lorelei on Bass/Keyboards, and Dennis Lehrer on the Drums from New York. They are playing tonight at Cinespace in LA which I would go to if I wasn’t blessed with being sickly. This cold thing going around really blows. Anyways – Autodrone has been around since 2002 and I can imagine them getting more popular this year. Why? Cause this is the music everybody wants to hear this year. (Including me) It’s fast, it’s dancable, and they’ve got a hot front lady. Sorry I guess I can’t say it enough. You know what a hot front does for a band? Well lets think about this one band from Sweden. Yeah The Sounds and her hotness.

Sorry, off track again. Autodrone’s latest album came out October 06 and from the few tracks that I’ve heard it’s full of much goodness. 2006 was very much a year for the chick singer (in my opinion) and in some bands it sucks – yet this is one of the good ones. Rachel Luria has got an edge that I havn’t really heard in awhile that makes me think they will (hopefully) gain some more attention this year.

Autodrone: Myspace | Official Website

MP3 (thanks to freeindie.com for supplying the tracks)
Autodrone – Panic
Autodrone – Bend Me
Autodrone – Foward Fever

Really? I mean really? Hell yes. You won’t know what to make of all this yet you will want more just as I have. These two dudes [Jonathan Snipes, Jim Merson] from Los Angeles will blow your mind with their antics and electonica/dance/techno/whatever you want to call it music.. I mean I can’t say anything but, “yeah they are rad” or how about this; a quote from the Skyscraper Issue 23 story by Alison Meeder.

… oVer a hammering techno beat, he’s singing about dirty sex with dirty people. In the crowd below is the Los Angeles duo’s other half, Jim Merson. Wearing tennis shoes and tighty whities, he’s running towards you with a frothy determination that makes you wonder if you can still get a rabies vaccination at this time of night. Merson doesn’t know you but he humps your leg nonethless, covers you in sweat, and moves on to his next victim.

What more is their really to say? There is no short of awesome videos on their website and just to give you a taste, their song “Girls Gone Wild” has been floating around the internet. Enjoy.

Captain Ahab: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
Captain Ahab – Girls Gone Wild

So I checked out this band because there was a bit of buzz about them. Also because I think it’s rad a Scottish band is big right now. I came to the conclusion that they I dig their alt rock tunes. It’s nothing you or actually I havn’t heard before yet there is always a place for those bands. They kinda remind me of how The Subways came around ohhhh about a long time ago. [Subways live review here.]

Notwithstanding it’s worth a good listen, especially since they have their whole album streaming on myspace right now. Their first single “Wasted Little DJ’s” is pretty catchy and they already have the UK under their belt right now.(Their album debuted number 2 on iTunes there) We’ll see how the U.S takes em in. Maybe it’ll be another epidemic like the Artic Monkeys. The album drops in March so we’ll all catch them again then.

Tour:
03/03/07 – Brooklyn, NY (Luna Lounge)
03/05/07 – Toronto, ON (Lee’s Palace)
03/07/07 – Chicago, IL (Schuba’s)
03/09/07 – Seattle, WA (Crocodile Cafe)
03/11/07 – San Francisco, CA (Slim’s)
03/13/07 – Los Angeles, CA (Troubadour)
03/20/07 – New York, NY (Bowery Ballroom)
03/22/07 – Cambridge, MA (TT The Bears)

“Wasted Little DJ’s” video

The View: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
The View – Wasted Little DJ’s

A 6 person rock band, that’s so Elton John circa 1970. However, The Magic Bullets, a San Francisco based post-pop/post-punk sextet have managed to capture the sound of nostalgia on their first full length release: A CHILD but in life yet a DOCTOR in love. Warning: You’ll be singing these infectious hooks to yourself the same way Feliz Navidad implants itself in your brain around Christmas time.

This is music for any occasion. Whether you’re road tripping or using the outro of ‘New Kicks’ to break the runner’s wall, these beautifully crafted songs are befitting to the soundtrack of your life. They write gracefully effective songs because they transpire as a painfully honest band. No ironic moustaches, no tight women’s jeans and no pretentious notion of themselves exist. Each member has a specified role with an ultimate goal: create meaningful music. None try to out-do the other, thus creating a symbiotic harmony that true fans of music will appreciate.

Live, The Magic Bullets are both engaging and withdrawn. Their on stage demeanor says it all, accidental rock stars who are lost and lonely in between songs. As soon as drum sticks count 4 they immediately find shelter in a familiar place, the sanctuary of their song. It’s endearing to witness their candor first hand. During exaggerated breakdowns their lead singer Phil loses himself with a dance reminiscent to a horse counting. As the song ends he finally musters up the courage to address the full house at the Great American Music Hall, ‘man, this is really cool.’

Tour Dates:
Jan 26 – Bottom Of The Hill – San Francisco, CA
Mar 1 – Slim’s (Noisepop) – San Francisco, CA

The Magic Bullets: Myspace | Website

From Vince at LaVsSf.com check it out, it’s a good way to waste time at work. Thanks

Last night I made it out to the Roxy for an invite only showcase of up and coming artist Mika that I’ve written about a couple times here. Let me start talking about the Roxy. It was the most joyous I’ve ever seen it. Clowns and a dude on stilts were entertaining the line outside and there were balloons and streamers hung everywhere. The sign said:

I couldn’t agree more. While waiting in line I discovered a perk of being a blogger. One of Mika’s people was going through the line and making sure that Universal and media people were waiting. I said “I’m a blogger” and she said okay go to the front and wait to the left. A few minutes later I skipped the line of 75+ people like a VIP. Felt pretty awesome.

Inside there was no short of “celebration.” There were glow stick string things and buttons being handed out along with free food and balloons and happiness everywhere. After waiting around a bit and surveying the scene. At 8:45 pm Mika went on stage with his band.

The guy can sing.
Live or recorded hi voice is so high and powerful and unique it’s hard to compare with anybody else in my mind. He played his second U.S show till about 9:30 and it was bar none an amazing performance. It was a bit different since it was all fans yet industry people who may have heard nothing about him. Without a doubt I’m sure they were impressed.

Overall, such a great showcase.

Mika: Myspace | Official Website

Today is Mika day. I’ll be heading to the Roxy tonight to catch him live and today you all get to read this e-interview that he was kind enough to do for me.

Your childhood seems to be filled with adventure, could you tell me maybe a story or two growing up?
When you come from a family where you move around a lot traveling certainly doesn’t become an issue anymore apart from money of course. Ill never forget on the several occasions where my mother and father had an enormous fight we left for Portugal and another time in Rome…and another time in NY. Anytime that he would blow the fuse with my mother we got a free holiday out of it and we would go on these adventures. When you consider I come from a family of 5 children that’s no mean fee!

What are your favorite bands right now?
Favorite bands right now hmm… Absolutely loving The Gossip! One of my songs “Big Girl You Are Beautiful” could have been written about her (Beth Ditto).
Going on major major Tom Waits binges and there’s a Ultra Super Hyper Condensed concentrated POP band from Sweden called Body Without Organs that have an amazing song called Sunshine In The Rain…that is my current unashamedly guilty pleasure.

What were some of you inspirations for the album?
There is an overall “concept” to this album. It has a coming of age theme dealing with my transition from late childhood into early adult hood. As a result, I deal with a lot of issues or stories where people are going through changes in their lives. Those are always fruitful episodes to write about.

A little off topic… favorite food? place to shop?
Favorite food: Growing up the way that I have I kind of assume that I can hop from country to country with every meal. But I’m a sucker for good French Fries with mayo.
Favorite place to shop: There is a shop I am dying to go to in San Francisco called MAC Modern Apparel as they stock one of my favorite designers, Walter Van Bierendonck.

If you had to choose a place to be, where?
I would like to be in the mountains. I am terrified of water and tend to never swim in the ocean, even when I am stuck on the beach for 4 weeks.

For MP3’s and more words: head to the Music Glob archives.

Mika: Myspace | Official Website

Just found via Mooch director/producer Kris Moyes who has created some amazing videos for some awesome bands. Spotlight today: Softlightes – Heart Made of Sound. Such an amazing time consuming video and it is brilliant for this song. I mean really, it’s good. Kris, great video.

Watch: Softlightes – Heart Made of Sound video

Kris Moyes: Official Website

The funny thing about me writing this post is that Action Action’s album came out pretty much exactly a year ago. These days I like to write about whatever suites my fancy instead of just the “new buzz bands.” I mean sure I like them too, but every now and then you gotta pull something out of the archive. Honestly Action Action’s music seems to jump around. One minute I’m listening to something hard rock ish, then next some nice calm melody so I mean take it as it is.

Action Action: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
Action Action – A Tornado, An Owl
Action Action – Paper Cliche
Action Action – What Temperature Does Air Freeze At?

I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Pablo for the last while keeping a secret in a way. Honestly I don’t listen to folk ish type music that often but when I do I love it. If you didn’t already know Pablo is a family affair which is pretty cool in this day and age. Anyways, check out the podcast, fun stuff.

Check out: Pablo – AOL Interface

Pablo: Website

I’ve been listening to Bonobo non stop for the last couple days. Can’t get enough. Perfect ambient / downtempo music that I could probably never say enough about. In 2000 Simon Green moved to England at age 18 and made his debut album, Animal Magic which is amazing for too many reason. That was followed by four other albums that are all excellent. Honestly I think this music goes great with anything and everything. Maybe I’m just a little stoked on it all right now but still, Bonobo is an artist you will always want to have.

Bonobo: Myspace | Official Wesbsite | Buy in iTunes

MP3:
Bonobo – Sleepy Seven
Bonobo – Terrapin
[iTunes: Animal Magic]

Bonobo – Dismantling Frank
[iTunes: One Offs Remixes and B-Sides]
- I would post many more but you just need to buy the albums

With the dawn of the new Bloc Party album soon upon us here is the video for the first single. It popped up last week and well I just caught it this morning. I love the video – it’s an amazing concept. I don’t know how I feel about the song yet. I mean it’s good, but I don’t know if I love it just yet. Let me know what you guys think.

Bloc Party: Myspace | Official Website

I’ve been holding onto these guys for awhile because they are a peice of gold that I want to keep for myself. Yet they deserve to out in the wild on dancefloors, in cars, and in earbuds. Fujiya and Miyagi have been added to my top list of electronica right up there with Theivery Corporation (who’s latest album is awesome by the way), ratatat and a slew of others including the Presets.

Fujiya & Miyagi is three guys from the UK with an amazing amount of talent laying beats, vocals, and ambient sounds. Their album Transparent Things has recieved great reviews by tons of people. I only see a huge future for F&M, so get in now as one of the cool kids.

Fujiya & Miyagi:
Myspace | Official Website | Buy on iTunes

MP3
Fujiya & Miyagi – Ankle Injuries
Fujiya & Miyagi – Collarbone

Since I didn’t make it out to JAX’s Peter and the Wolf show (which was also her 500th post! Congrats!) I figured I’d mention them here. Peter and the Wolf is all Red Hunter. His amazing vocals on top of ooohhss and aaaahhhhs and a guitar makes good for anytime listening. Especially reading a book or if you’re like me and work at a computer it’s perfect music for the all day worker. Reminds me a bit of island music – laid back and just plain good. I havn’t been to any islands in the last couple years, except for the almost island Coronado in San Diego – yet I’ll remember Peter and the Wolf for the next time.

Peter and the Wolf: Myspace | Official Website

MP3
Peter and the Wolf – The Ivy [Lightness]
Peter and the Wolf – Safe Travels [Lightness]
Peter and the Wolf – The Bonsai Tree [Lightness]
Peter and the Wolf – Strange Machines
[Experiments in Junk]
Peter and the Wolf – Sayonara Suckers!
[Experiments in Junk]

I felt like coming back to blogging with something loud, so here’s The Drones. This Australian band has been around since 2001 keeping a steady stream of music out for all your ears. This raw rock I’m usually only in the mood for every now and again, and when you’re in that mood you better go all out. I don’t know how their live shows are, yet I could imagine it being something to experience. I’m sure they break stuff, if not they should. Anybody want to let lme know? They were touring a good portion of 2006 so I’m sure you already know of them. Oh yeah – they also won the 2006 Australian Music Prize It’s gritty, yet not the shitty gritty. Australia has alot to offer the way music goes… anybody want to go on a trip?

The Drones: Official Website

MP3
The Drones – The Millers Daughter
The Drones – I Don’t Ever Want To Change
The Drones – She Had An Abortion That She Made Me Pay For

Just a quick note to the readers – I’ll be blogging again tomorrow! After taking a break for a couple weeks I miss it. Especially the thrill and excitement of it all.
I was busy with my birthday in November, then Christmas and moving to a new place in December – that puts us right here in January.

Anyways – bands and bloggin tomorrow, today read those blogs that I have linked in the sidebar.