sum the greater mixtape #3 - Future Sounds edition
Hey everyone -
We’ve got a special treat for you this week, as Larry Little from Future Sounds has been gracious enough to put together this week’s mixtape. For those unfamiliar with Future Sounds, they are the at the forefront of the next generation of tastemakers in the music business. They identify great artists very early in their careers (many of whom have appeared on this blog) and help put them on the map by releasing singles, promoting national tours with built-in audiences (as Future Sounds are known for their tastemaking prowess and have been putting on The Rumble for years), promoting through independent radio (they recently acquired the famous WOXY and do a show multiple times a week) and PR, and selling merch. It doesn’t stray from the classic major label model, but they are a million times more efficient thanks, in part, to being active tastemakers, which has allowed them to control their own channels and have direct fans of their brand (I’m one of them). It’s really quite genius.
At any rate, it’s a true honor to have Future Sounds CEO Larry Little make this week’s mixtape. So without further ado, I’ll let him introduce you to some of his favorite bands right now.
<3 / ∑>
[as always, you can download the mixtape by entering your email at right]
A B & The Sea – Suzie
Future Sounds favorites, A B & The Sea moved from Wisconsin to SF to be closer to the ocean, as their Beach Boys inspired tunes feel more at home on Ocean Beach.
Other Girls – Hey Fella Ya Fell
The heart of rock and roll brings us Other Girls, your placeholder while we all wait for the next Shins record. Perfect indie rock.
Brazos - Tell
Austin’s Brazos returns with a new album loaded with tracks that should be in your Ipod.
Tape Deck Mountain – A Cool Thing
Now that Pitchfork is onto them, San Diego’s secret is out. Slacker rock is back with a song that should show up on the Clerks II soundtrack. (Get “Scantrons” free here)
Surfer Blood – Swim (To Reach The End)
From W. Palm Beach, Florida, it’s the appropriately named Surfer Blood asking you to swim to reach the end. This band is being chased by label sharks going into CMJ.
All Wrong & The Plans Change – I Get Down
Los Angeles’ AW&TPC are driven by two ladies that rock like Kim Deal at Lalapalooza in the ‘90’s. Guaranteed to get stuck in your head.
The Nights – Lonely Soul
The song MGMT forgot to put on Oracular Spectacular. This Los Angeles based group has future hits like this stacked up and waiting.
Red Wire Black Wire – Breathing Fire
The perfect marriage of Passion Pit and MGMT, a Brooklyn band on Tough Customer Records that put out an entire album of good songs, and how often does that happen anymore?
NewIslands – Out Of Time
Something special is happening with the UK act, NewIslands. Another band that builds on the Passion Pit framework and creates magic.
Tigers That Talked – Black Heart Blue Eyes
I have a gut feeling on this band from Leeds, like when I first heard Chris Martin’s voice on the first Coldplay record and knew they were headed for stadiums.
Michael Runion – Til We Have To
Los Angeles based Michael Runion lives off his reputation as an amazing performer that has songs to back it up.
Silver Swans – Crimson Clover
A side project gone wild from LoveLikeFire’s Ann Yu, this is a b-side that didn’t even make the album, but it’s as creamy a track as you’ll find.
Get Back Guinozzi! – Carpet Madness
This French band reminds me of the Tom Tom Club in it’s heyday, a summertime groove ready for your summer vacation.
A Mountain Of One – Bones
The new Pink Floyd is London’s A Mountain Of One, my new favorite psychedelic band. This band is for late nights and heavy drinking.
Hey Marseilles – To Travels & Trunks
Seattle has a way of creating bands that make magic that turn into careers, a la Death Cab For Cutie, and their latest export Hey Marseilles could be the Fleet Foxes of 2010.
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