Haiku Review: Purity Ring

Lights twinkle, synths ring

out; and Megan leads us through

a vibrant dream world

photo Kate Bracaglia for The Key

Check out my full reivew + photos (Tuesday night, Union Transfer) via The Key.

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Haiku Review: Nightlands

Sweet harmonies fill

the small space with magical

vibes; we're transported

photo Matt Davis for The Key

Check out my full review (Saturday night, Kung Fu Necktie) here.

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INTRVW: Nightlands

On record, Nightlands sounds like the work of a futuristic, robot DJ, that processes emotions (like love, and heartache), and compiles them into something lush and thrilling. Yet in real life, Dave Hartley is approachable and friendly, reflecting on the importance of likeability in music, and sharing his novelist aspirations.

budding novelist?

So what's the connection between the man and the music? Over at The Key, I talk to Hartley about songwriting, touring, and the scientific method -- head over there to check it out!

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January Jams: The Playlist

Just some tunes I've been rocking out to this January:

• Fidlar, "LDA." Real jammer
• Parquet Courts, "Borrowed Time." Real jammer, GREAT use of pauses
• Nodzzz, "I'm Not a Wanderer." Exactly what you'd expect from a band called Nodzzz
• Nobunny, "Ain't It a Shame."  Jamz from 2010!
• Mannequin Men, "Flying Blind." Aren't we all?
• Unknown Mortal Orchestra, "Swim and Sleep (Like a Shark)." Best song title
• Foxygen, "Shuggie." Worst band name, solid jam
• Nightlands, "I Fell in Love With a Feeling." Obsessed with this one
• Swearin', "Kenosha." What you listened to in high school, except better
• Bleeding Rainbow, "Waking Dream." this rules
• Yo La Tengo, "Is That Enough?" Best band ever
• Free Energy, "Dance All Night." because just cuz it's cold doesn't mean we can't rage

bleeding rainbow?

Stream the whole thing via 8tracks or Spotify (some songs only).

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INTRVW: Birdie Busch

Birdie Busch, West Philly songstress, has the mind of a poet, the heart of an artist, and the voice of a soft-spoken Siren. On new record Birdie Busch and the Greatest Night, she embodies all 3, resulting in a record as warm and comforting as your favorite blanket on a cold winter's night.

I caught up with Busch a few weeks back -- to talk writing, recording, and balancing music w/ a regular job -- head over to XPN's The Key to check it out!

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Music Video Mondays: Nobunny

January is cold, and after the year-end madness that was December '12, all I wanna do is listen to 3-chord punk and rage:

There's only one cure for winter ennui, and that, my friend, is more cowbell.

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And now, Kate + Matt's list of everything uncool in 2013

Happy New Year! And with a new year comes a new list of things that are no longer cool. If you ask us, most of these items were teetering on the brink for 2012 anyway so if you're still clinging, please, LET GO

The List

Facebook

Apple

PBR

Beach House (the band, not the concept)

Dubstep

hey! Let's make a record of gauzy dream pop! oh wait, 

we already made that record! Four times!

"Yolo"

"Jelly"

Maxi skirts

Mullet skirts (short in the front, party in the back)

American Apparel

Is it any surprise the YOLO coffee shop closed after 3

months? You only live once -- meaning there's no time for

stupidly-named coffee

Complaining about Manhattan real estate prices

Complaining about Brooklyn real estate prices

Mustaches

You know who's NOT sporting an ironic mustache?

Guys with girlfriends, that's who

Wanna add to the list? Leave your additions in the comments below!

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