Helloooooooooooo!

I have to say, I’m proud of this little bundle of joy. It’s an amalgam of two mixes I made for a recent trip to Alabama with my best friends in the world, and every song was vetted twice as hard as normal for awesomeness. I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I do!

<3 / ∑>

1. Jukebox The Ghost - “Schizophrenia”

Nary has a song been writ so frantic yet coherent. But if anyone is a master of such things, Jukebox The Ghost be they.

2. Wild Beasts - “All The King’s Men”

Most of the Wild Beasts’ set is dominated by a guy singing incredible falsetto, but then this other guy comes in and sings a higher falsetto before going full-on Morrissey. This is the song that turns the concert into an experience.

3. Humans - “Avec Mec Mecs”

I’m not quite sure what to say about this British Columbian duo. It’s definitely a bit more bass-heavy than you tend to find on my speakers, but the soft vocals create a truly fascinating layering effect. It’s like a slow-motion strobe-lighted disco.

4. Absofacto - “Punch Drunk On Black Mold”

I can’t get enough Absofacto. Jon keeps writing great, exciting, diverse songs every month. 

5. Cults - “Oh My God”

Cults is two film students from NYC who wrote a few songs together and posted them on Bandcamp for their friends to hear. Word spread (fast) and now they’re one of the hottest bands around. Rightfully so, even if it wasn’t intentional.

6. Cotton Jones - “Somehow To Keep It Going”

The latest Cotton Jones record, Tall Hours In The Glowstream, has been on repeat for me on a daily basis for the last two months. It’s that good. It’s both emotional and easing.

7. Iron Horse Bluegrass - “New Slang (The Shins Cover)”

The Iron Horse Bluegrass band is incredible. Their original songs are innovative, and their covers (of anything from Metallica to Modest Mouse) are gorgeous. This cover in particular goes straight to my heart.

8. Warpaint - “Undertow”

God, this is just one of those songs that you FEEL. Yours Truly recently did a session with these girls from LA, revealing they’re just as beautiful and likable as their music.

9. Miracle Fortress - “Hold Your Secrets To Your Heart”

This is the record that’s played the most on my computer for the last two years, yet for some reason I never talk about it. Montreal’s Graham Van Pelt writes some of the spaciest, most beautiful pieces of indie rock you’ll find.

10. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. - “God Only Knows”

Have I mentioned I love these guys? Seriously, who attempts, AND PULLS OFF, a cover of “God Only Knows” on their first EP? A band originally intended as a side project, apparently. Kudos, fellas.

11. Tyler Lefebvre - “Summer Eyes”

Baltimore / DC based Lefebvre writes almost acid-jazzy dance-alongs, including this gem. This is a track that is equally appropriate in a convertible, a dark club, and a hotel lobby. Oh, and of course an indie dance party :)

12. Mndr - “I Go Away”

I’m excited to see Mndr when they come to San Francisco next month. They’ll be back again in February, but at a much larger venue with Chromeo. They’re somewhere between Tegan & Sara and School Of Seven Bells, and I think I like that middle ground more than the edges.

13. Wildbirds & Peacedrums - “My Heart”

You all know this already, but I am head over heels in love with Wildbirds & Peacedrums. Apparently their new record expands their sound from a single voice and drums to a whole chorus of backing vocals. I’m incredibly excited to hear how that sounds.

14. Jonsi - “Animal Arithmetic”

I’ve loved this track since I first heard it at the start of the year because it’s so playful. The first time I saw Jonsi, he reappeared for the encore with an elaborate headdress on and proceeded to dance while singing this song. He seemed like a little kid playing in his room, which was a beautiful sight to behold (especially when accompanied by the incredible music).

15. Annuals - “Hair Don’t Grow”

Annuals is one of several bands I love who I think got pigeonholed far too early in their career as part of the emo/pop-punk scene. Their elaborate and uplifting songs go far beyond those genres, and their sound continues to grow.

16. Oh No! Yoko - “90s Kids”

This song is almost too easy — everyone who was a kid in the 90s can relate to nearly every line and get nostalgic — but still a freaking blast.

17. Modest Mouse - “Spitting Venom”

I was never a fan of “Spitting Venom” until seeing an epic 20 minute version live in Dublin last year. Isaac Brock writes incredible songs, but he’s also a great band-leader, enabling all six members on stage to extend any song endlessly on a whim and make it look like it was rehearsed.