Music Crush: Smith Westerns

I saw @smithwesterns in NYC a couple of years ago at The Knitting Factory, before they were even drinking age!

This second pre-release from an upcoming new album seems to reflect their growing proficiency in songwriting and arrangement. It’s exciting to see them continuing to produce amazing work.  Check it out.

Photos by Shanda Boyett

Music Crush: Kaleidoscope Effects

So my pals @CutKeys just released a new video for their single Blue Dream which uses this kaleidoscope effect to showcase their psychedelic future space music. Tame Impala used the same effect for their single “Expectation” for a slightly more frenetic impact.

Either way, I like it. And hey, if you want to judge, go make your own goddamn video. These dudes aren’t made of money, just awesomeness.

Blue Dream from Cut Keys on Vimeo.

Crush Picks For The Weekend - Seattle and NYC

Seattle Picks

Fri May 17 - Hounds of the Wild Hunt at The Comet. Sensible indie pop.

Fri May 17 - Beat Connection at Neumos.  Jangly indie pop. Tastes like Monogold and Young the Giant. MCG loves falsetto. Really lovely.

Fri May 17 - Golden Gardens at Columbia City Theater. Shoegaziness. What a great Seattle find!

Sat May 18 - Kinski at Columbia Theater - Garage rock goodness. And this video has video game samples AND claymation!  Praise the gourd!

Sat May 18 - White Rainbow at Cairo in Capital Hill. Electronic experimental. Blow your mind. Go ahead.

New York Picks

Fri May 17 - The Flaming Lips at Prospect Park - Get there early and bring your own booze (or whatever), a blanket and a willingness to get close to random humanity.

Sat May 18 - Zula at Big Snow in Brooklyn.  These beautiful little boys make even more beautiful indie pop. Tastes like Death Cab for Cutie. Lurv it. 

Sat May 18 - Nautiluss at Cameo Gallery in Brooklyn.  Electronic yumm.

Sat May 18 - Jeff the Brotherhood at The Mercury Lounge in Manhattan. Lotsa good shows tonight but JTB live is an experience. Exuberant indie rock. 

Sat May 18 - El Jezel at Fort Useless in Brooklyn.  Chick bassist. MCG loves chic bassists.  Indie pop.

Music Crush: Mr. Moccasin

Loving the strong whispery vocals and beautiful harmonies of @MrMoccasin. The spanish guitar and trumpet also make MCG swoon.

Music Crush: Not Blood, Paint @notbloodpaint

Help me mother!  They call it glam rock. You know MCG loves anything in the glammy/glittery genre. Sounds like Queen had an orgy with Queens of the Stone Age. Very monarchical.

Music Crush: @Wilsenmusic

Quiet and spare, Wilsen’s ‘dream folk’ is as much about sound as the lack thereof. There are tender moments where the song seems to be taking a breath and others where ferocity reigns. You will find yourself dancing at the end. Breathless.

Will remind you of Oh Daughter, but a bit grander.

Crush Picks for the Weekend

Wanna know what to do this weekend? Have some free time and extra cash? Are your earplugs sitting uselessly in a drawer? Music Crush Girl can help you.

New York Top 5

Thurs May 9, Youth Lagoon at the Bell House, Brooklyn

All Weekend, Downtown Festival - Multiple Venues, $45 - Sky Ferriera, Palma Violets, Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow, Beach Fossils, Purity Ring, Ducktails and more! Seriously there is no other place you should be this weekend. What a super lineup.

Sat May 11, Gold Panda at The Knitting Factory, Brooklyn

Sat May 11, DIIV at The Mercury Lounge, New York City. **This video is not safe for work.

Sat May 11 - Twin Sister at Silent Barn, Brooklyn - Double awesome. (the new) Silent Barn and Twin Sister.

Seattle Top 5

Fri May 10, The Lucky Mystery Now Orchestra with Lucky Brown, Members of Polyrhythmics, Unskinkable Heavies, Rippin’ Chicken and Guests - Funky jazz goodness. Shake your boo-tay.

Fri May 10 - The Sweet Dominiques at Skylark Cafe and Club, West Seattle - Amazin’ beach pop. 

Sat. May 11, Indignant Senility at Cairo in Capital Hill - dark, ambient, a little frightening, in a good way.

Sat May 11, Laura Stevenson at Sunset Tavern in Ballard

Sun May 12, Of Montreal, Vera Project at Seattle Center