Exitmusic & Devon Church

 

How depressing that Exitmusic is a great band that I only just found out about because they’re splitting up. Literally. This husband and wife duo released what is likely to be their last album this past spring, as they’re now separated. The woman, Aleksa Palladino, is apparently also somewhat well known as an actress. The good news is that Devon Church is continuing to make his own solo music, and will be releasing his debut solo album, We Are Inextricable, on October 26th. Listen below to the recently released title track:

Sylvan Esso

Truly devine. Cannot wait for their new album out on April 28th.

Hippo Campus

Another great, young band to watch. Courtesy of the cuz.

Warpaint

 

Last night I came across one of those rare bands that’s so great that I stay up into the wee hours of the night scouring YouTube for their live performances: Warpaint. Warpaint is an all-female rock band that’s based in Los Angeles and was formed in 2004, according to Wikipedia. The band’s sound is pretty difficult to put into words, but is described on its Myspace page as “sparse, atmospheric art rock.” I suggest you have a listen because there really are no words for the sound, talent and originality. While there are certainly differences between their older and newer work, I can’t say I have a preference for either yet. One thing I’ve found pretty notable in watching their live performances is that while most bands appear to consist of multiple band members, each playing their part to create a single piece of music (because that’s what they are), it feels instead as if Warpaint is a single entity, and each of its members are just gears turning on the same wavelength.

The video above is from their most recent (self-titled) album which was released in January 2014. It begins with track 7, “Disco//very,” segueing seamlessly into track 2, “Keep It Healthy” around the video’s half-way point. Normally music videos don’t really do much for me, but this one does — between the dance/sing/walk that radiates cool and the segue of the two songs.

First Aid Kit

 

So it looks like this blog pretty much died when I entered the real world, which is really quite sad. And it sounds like at least one of you would like to have it back. And I’d like to have it back, so I’m going to try to do that.

Anyway, I’d like to share some new (within the past year) music from First Aid Kit, the second-ever band I posted about here back in 2011. In June 2014, they came out with their third album, Stay Gold, which is simply great. It sounds similar to their past stuff, just a little more filled out and mature, which I guess is what you’d expect. It’s also solid fun listening straight through.The Swedish sister duo has modern American folk music mastered, if you ask me.

Above is a splendid night ski film I saw last night at the Banff Mountain Film Festival (go to the showing in your town!!!) with “My Silver Lining,” a song from Stay Gold, as the soundtrack. Why not kill two birds with one stone and get a great ski video and an awesome First Aid Kit song at once, right?

James Vincent McMorrow

We’re only two weeks into 2014 and, if you ask me, what could possibly be the best album of the year is about to be released (or already has been, depending on your continent). Below are the three songs currently available from James Vincent McMorrow’s second album, Post Tropical, which comes out this Tuesday.

Seriously, listen up until 1:40 of Cavalier and then tell me you don’t agree.

Cavalier

 

Red Dust

 

Gold

 

Some of you may remember a post I made back in 2011 (who am I kidding that you would remember a post i made 3 years ago) about his first album, Early in the Morning. So far this new album has a very similar vibe, but is a little less stripped down and sounds more comfortable with technology (i.e. drums and electronics). Anyway, I just really can’t wait until we get to hear all the goodness on Tuesday.

San Fermin

Most definitely a band to watch.

 

I’m trying to limit the number of YouTube videos I embed on here, because they’re slowing down the site loading, but San Fermin’s live performance of this song on NPR Tiny Dest is amazing. Click here and skip to 3:30 (or listed to/watch the whole thing 🙂 )

 

Miriam Bryant

A Swedish singer with my name (and birth year!), a beautiful voice (Adele much?), and some nice songs. Her debut EP in the US, Push Play was released October 8 and includes the above song plus four others.

Maine Mixes & 8tracks

Hello friends and fam and fans,

Unfortunately, no brand new music in this post. But I wanted to let you know that I’ve created an account on 8tracks (a great mix creation/discovery/listening site). My username is the same as this blog, “earsinmyheadphones.” You can find that here: http://8tracks.com/earsinmyheadphones. If any of you have an account/post your own mixes, let me know!

Right now, you can find one mix titled “among us” up there, which is loosely associated with this blog. (The majority of artists/songs on the mix are things I’ve posted on this blog recently).

Additionally – for those of us that used to go to maine every year – I’ve uploaded all of the Maine mixes from 2008 through 2011! So you can now listen to them whenever you want! If any of you end up listening to all of them, I’d be curious to hear which year was your favorite.

The mixes are below. You can either click the “play” button to listen within this site, or click on the mix title at the top of the image, which will take you to the 8tracks page.

That’s all for now. Good weekend wishes.

Lorde

 

 

I first came across the song “Royals” (first song above) a few days ago on an 8tracks mix and didn’t think too much of it, beyond that it was quite impressive compared to most of the stuff I’ve heard recently (I did put it on repeat a few times). Then today, I came across the song again and learned that the girl who sings it, Lorde (real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor), IS ONLY 16 YEARS OLD. That made me take a second look.

Lorde is a Kiwi (New Zealander) who was picked up by Universal Music at the age of 12 or 13 based on a video that someone apparently took of her singing at her school talent show. For the past 4 years, she’s been in development with them – they’ve provided her with vocal coaching and song writing trials with the hope that she’d one day release music under their label.

Well, so far it seems like it’s been a success for both sides. Lorde released her first EP, The Love Club, this March and her second EP, Tennis Court, this June. Both of the songs above, “Royals” and “Tennis Court” debuted at number 1 on the New Zealand charts. “Roayls” has picked up tons of attention in the States since it was released here earlier this month.

Although the music corporateness of Lorde’s whole story would normally be off-putting for me, the fact that she’s producing music that feels both genuine to herself and genuinely awesome, plus the fact that she seems mature beyond 16, makes it okay for me at least. It seems Universal was just successful at identifying a real talent early on, and Lorde’s opportunities have grown because of it.