Arizona electro-duo Peachcake are making waves in more than just the music world. Following the death of lead singer Stefan Pruett‘s brother and band member this past year, they launched the Planet Awesome Movement, which involves the free distribution of art (documented in their new “Souls” video), teen hotlines, a TV series (to be piloted by FOX in the Summer/Fall of ’09) and a nationwide series of interactive community “Paint For Peace” art installations/performances.
Their live shows are a one-of-a-kind experience. They’ve bubble-wrapped audiences, started games of Twister, put everyone under a parachute, and played duck duck goose all while undergoing costume changes. Check out “Make Movement Not War”, a song from their forthcoming full-length debut, What Year Will You Have the World?
“Make Movement Not War” (download)
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The Monroe Transfer
Due to some financial horrors (these days, you don’t say!), London’s The Monroe Transfer were left hanging after being asked to record something for one side of a split 10″ EP. So, with a mastered track and nothing to do with it, the band thought they’d give it away, hoping that people might like it and buy something from them in the future.
The band is offering up “Joy”, a 12 minute treasure of strings, bowed & screwdrivered guitars, piano and pounding drums, all swathed in lots of smoky reverb. If you’re into Arvo Part, Max Richter, Rachel’s, Do Make Say Think, Steve Reich, early Sigur Ros, that sort of thing, you may well like it. And in keeping with the giving nature of the holiday season, you can also download the band’s version of “Silent Night”.
“Joy” (download)
“Silent Night” (download)
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Austin indie outfit Built By Snow (does Austin get snow?) just finished their new album, MEGA, which is scheduled for release January 20, 2009. The band self-proclaims their sound as “catchy keyboard rock with an explosion of velcro melodies and magnetic pop hooks that hit your brain like an Atari blasting out of a bazooka.” With musical influences like the Cars, DEVO, Mates of State, Tegan and Sara, and the Strokes, it’s not hard to believe they’re pretty right on. Have a listen to “All The Weird Kids We Know” and hear what they’re talking about.
“All The Weird Kids We Know” (download)
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Odds
Vancouver’s guitar-driven pop rockers Odds will release their 14-track Cheerleader in late January. It’s full of dark, intense lyrics, full-voiced harmonies and jangled filled pop melodies that are perfect dance party jams. After a long commercially successful career that includes four standout albums and numerous hit singles, Cheerleader ends the Odds’ 10-year hiatus and marks a return to the bands innovative power-pop and trademark harmonies of Craig Northey and Doug Elliot.
We’ve got three tracks from the band’s forthcoming album for you today. Each is an upbeat pop rock gem that will get you moving happily into the weekend.
“Write It In Lightning” (download)
“Leaders of the Undersea World” (download)
“Jumper” (download)
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This California five-piece electro-rock band recently released their Bootleg EP, a teaser for the forthcoming full-length which is currently being recorded at The Mars Volta‘s studio in LA and is expected to drop in late April 2009. “Carwars” is a song about forbidden love, specifically, the love that occurs in the back seat of your car with your best friend’s girlfriend while he’s passed out drunk in the front seat. You can’t not want to listen to this.
“Carwars” (download)
