This week’s podcast episode features eight songs, all from new or recently released CDs by some great Bay Area bands:
We kick off the episode with a song from Thee More Shallows‘ recent release Book of Bad Breaks, available on Anticon Records. You can click here to download “Night At the Knight School”–it’s definitely one of our favorite songs of the year, from an album which has been receiving excellent reviews. Check out TMS over at their MySpace page. The band returns from tour for a show August 11th at the Great American Music Hall with Subtle.
Ray’s Vast Basement‘s new CD Starvation Under Orange Trees developed from music RVB leader Jon Bernson wrote for a performance of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, drawing inspiration from various Steinbeck characters and themes. You can hear more at the band’s MySpace page and web site, and can download “California’s Gone” here. Pick the CD up now Howells Transmitter, and check out the band’s CD release party, Saturday, July 28th at Cafe du Nord with Jackpot and The Harbours.
Going down south to Santa Cruz for a song, we’ve long wanted to include Bear On Bear on the podcast. On their self-titled EP, the band demonstrates a unique sensibility, evoking memories of classic indie-pop bands like The Smiths while still sounding fresh and always danceworthy. That latter trait likely helps in what we’ve heard are some excellent live shows. The band’s next live event is at the Oakland Metro on Sunday, August 12th, and you should go to their MySpace page for more show info and more music.
The track we’ve included from Finest Dearest is the second of three installments in the “Making a Sound” trilogy of songs they discussed when we interviewed them last year. It’s also a song you can only find on The Bay Bridged, Volume 1, our brand new compilation which you can hear more samples from and purchase over at our online store. Check out more Finest Dearest at their MySpace page and web site. The band is currently working on a full length album which they hope to release in early 2008.
We’ve also included a song by The Aimless Never Miss, the title track off their recent EP The Bright Side, released on Tricycle Records. The band’s skill at developing rich, layered melodies is apparent in the song, which you can download here and you should stop by the band’s MySpace page for more. Although they don’t have any dates currently posted, we’ve seen them live and highly recommend it when you get the opportunity.
We first featured the music of Jake Mann back in our Monthly Mix last August, and we’re pleased to now include a song from Mann’s new CD Daytime Ghost, available on Crossbill Records. The CD, a collection of frequently dark and always interesting songs, features performances from several notable local musicians, including Payam Bavafa from Sholi and Garrett Pierce, both of whom also join Jake when he plays live. The CD release party is Sunday, July 22nd with Snowdrift and Carta. Visit his web site and MySpace page for more information.
We’ve also included a song from Wayward Sway‘s debut full-length album On a Broken Machine, a great mix of folk, country and rock sounds with some great diverse instrumentation and an infectious energy to the songwriting. The band celebrates the album’s release on Friday, August 10th at the Make-Out Room with The Silent Comedy. Hear more at Wayward Sway’s MySpace page and web site.
Sky Pilots close out the episode with their rocking mix of melodic post-punk and psych sounds. The track we’ve included is from the band’s new album Enjoy a Day Off, which will be released at the Thread Productions showcase on July 27th, alongside Tartufi, Silian Rail and Low Red Land. Find out more over at Sky Pilots’ MySpace page.
