Padd Solutions

That's right... and no autotune, either. Oh, wait... autotune is alright?

Right now, I'm totally ok with that. Because Rafter Roberts just got into my pants and left a big sweaty mess, behind. It's like the first time I heard Hot Chip, but without the hype. Nobody called me up or came back from Coachella, ordering me to love him or else... I just heard this song and had to laugh. With all the ridiculous trends currently emerging in the mainstream, it's completely refreshing to find an artist who sees these things and just... gets it. He gets that there are certain things that any self-respecting indie rocker just shouldn't do. He gets it... but he doesn't care. Think what you like, autotune is fucking hilarious... and Rafter knows it. And so do I.

How do I know I know? Because Sound n Vision says so. These days, they're filling the valley up with so much good noise that it's hard not to notice. For those of you who haven't, please take a trip to their myspace and check out the calendar. Also, bookmark this page, as we'll be delivering all the news we possibly can, on nearly every decent artist that happens to wander through these woods.

Show starts @ 9:30 p.m. Don't miss it!

Also... Check out his bio, on Asthmatic Kitty. It's enlightening. While he's got about 10 tracks that you can download, directly from the sidebar, I just had to post one more. It's beyond great.

mp3:

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In the mood for some wonderfully upbeat music magic? Something new from Iceland is coming, and it's being brought by Seabear's frontman Sindri Mar Sigfusson, called Sin Fang Bous and can really put a smile on your face. I haven't instantly fallen in love with something this good in a while. There is something to be said about the playful and simply lyrics and how the vocals instantly become another part of the instrumentation to the song (and when you do that on two vocal tracks to help build up the song even more?) Plus you have to love all the little sounds and noises that are added in many songs just for you're listening pleasure. This is also a great album for folk fans, and Sindri does a great job of mixing up folk with mellow electronic tempos.

This album has been out since December 5th, so if you get a chance head out and pick it up. In the meantime here is the video for one of their songs.

It's directed by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, who also did the video for Mum's "They Made Frogs Smoke 'Til They Exploded":

I read somewhere, that there are moments in which you just know. Like this one... I know I'm going to love Efterklang. I don't know how... I just know it.

I discovered them, tonight, while making the rounds on Sound n Vision. Thanks to the wonders of no-speed internet, I was only able to hear the first 10 seconds of their single, "Mirador," before that creepy little comcast tortoise showed up to warn me of the evil that is broadband. I spent the next half hour, muttering sweet nothings to the screen, in an attempt to coax my connection out of hiding. Thankfully, my roommate also owns a computer and I can, at last, get on with my affairs. Specifically, the hot and sweaty one I'm having with these Danes, right now.

Efterklang is one of a kind, man. One part high school march, one part ramblin' folk legend, one part lonely robot slave, I think. Those first few moments were more than enough to catch my attention, but the rest of the track has been on repeat, all night. I don't even know where the song goes... it just kinda weaves in and out... much the same I. That's what they call "meant to be."

Bla, bla, bla... the point is that they're on their way down into the valley and you really don't want to miss a second of their presence. Do you?

Mark your calendars, kids:

More info after the jump.

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p.s. The video is something altogether separate. A testament to the alleged "genius" of artist, Nan Na Hvass, this piece will take you places. It feels something akin to playing video games... then doing drugs and playing them some more... then doing so many drugs that you cease to play the games and, instead, find yourself within them. Every nerd's fantasy.

Enjoy.

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I'm drifting off to sleep, and my good dreams will be thanks to The Mumlers. Their eerie harmonies may as well be some siren's lullaby... because I'm hooked. This song reminds me that I'm going to die, someday. In a good way.

Anyway... they'll be in town, this coming Thursday, on a pit stop from their tour with The Submarines. If you're 21+, come on down to Tokyo and show some love. The usual suspects will be around, as well. We all know Rademacher, of course... but some may have yet to hear the sparkling sensation that is Racelegs. No doubt... they're a local trio of trouble. Check it.

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The purpose of our little operation is simple. Too many good tunes... not enough hours in the day. On a broad scope, we're just here to keep you updated on the goings on, in the underground. Indie rock, hip hop, jazz, soul, dance... even hardcore... it's all good. And it's all here. Bookmark our page and tune in, daily, for a solid dose of dank. That's right... it may as well be.

To our local readers:

On the more focused end of our endeavor lies our not-so-hidden agenda. Support your local music scene. For us, very little is of more importance, right now. Fresno kids know... things are pickin' up... and, from now on, Infant Islands is the place to hear it first!

Don't be distracted by The Hoff, kids... always do the right thing.

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Here's a new track from Pheonix. It's the first single from their upcoming May '09 release, entitled Wolfgang Amadeus Pheonix. We dare you not dance.

mp3:
Pheonix : 1901

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