Eastern Conference Champions are an indie rock group originally from Philadelphia that now resides in Los Angeles. After releasing 2 acclaimed EPs this past year (Santa-Fe and Akoustiks) they are dropping their first new album in four years entitled “Speak-ahh” I spoke with singer/guitarist John Ostrander. (more…)
February 28, 2011
Interview: Eastern Conference Champions
February 25, 2011
Moving Units release Tension War EP
Moving Units have released a new EP filled to the brim with the dance punk we’ve come to expect from them. Check out “Until She Says” below.
February 24, 2011
Interview: Waskerly Way
Waskerly Way is a project that has been churning out some great hazy dance jams. To learn more about Waskerly Way click for (more…)
February 23, 2011
Absofacto and 10k Cities Split 7″
Absofactor (or Jonathan Visger from Mason Proper) has been releasing great singles for a while now, which everyone should listen to here. His latest project is a split 7″ with 10k cities and it is pretty spectacular. Clinky and electronic, buzzing and beautiful, makes you hope for a larger collaboration between them.
Absofacto – 80844264@81 (Love Song)
February 22, 2011
Interview: Work Drugs
Work Drugs is a chillwave or smooth-fi band from Philly. I spoke with a member named Thomas.
How did Work Drugs come together?
Ben and I first met in Mrs McDonald’s kindergarten class, but it wasn’t until when we attended sailing school together that we fortified our musical friendship. We bonded over traditional sailing shanties by the likes of Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Kool & the Gang etc. When we overheard our schoolmate Joan humming along to Boz Scaggs’ ‘Lido Shuffle’, we had to invite her to work on some music with us — and thus Work Drugs was formed.
Did you start off intending to make “Chillwave” or was it something that you were labeled later on?
“Chillwave” was an initial label that was given to us after the release of “Third Wave.” I suppose it’s because of the nautical inspired imagery and hazy photography. After reading the wikipedia entry on “chillwave,” I tend to think we are a bit more “smooth-fi” than “chillwave”… but I guess that’s for the bloggers to decide!
Your song “Third Wave” is obviously very water inspired, what experiences endear you to be inspired by water?
Having grown up near the water all our lives, we have so many stories that are closely tied to those nautical experiences. Nights on the beach with girlfriends. Working summer jobs as lifeguards and beach vendors. Stealing Ben’s parents’ boat for a quick trip around the bay. Work Drugs seems to be the best outlet for getting these stories out right now.
The video for “Third Wave” has a very dreamlike quality to it. How did the video come together?
The video came together last summer when Ben, myself and a few friends took a week long boating trip in the Chesapeake. Drinking beers, eating crabs and strumming water logged guitars all day really puts things into perspective.
What’s it like living and making music in Philly in 2011?
It’s an exciting time for music in Philly. Great bands like Sun Airway, Kurt Vile, and Reading Rainbow are hitting it big while still remaining closely tied to the local DIY music scene. Must be something in the water.
What’s on the horizon for Work Drugs? A tour? An EP? World Domination?
All I can promise you is that we have plenty more songs in the bait box… just waiting for the waters to warm up.
Work Drugs is playing some shows and releasing a new video entitled “Sunset Junction” next Sunday.
06APR2011 – First Avenue Varsity Theater, Minneapolis, MN
07APR2011 – Park West, Chicago, IL
08APR2011 – Beaumont Club, Kansas City, MO – Middle of the Map Festival!
11APR2011- Venue, Vancouver, CA
12APR2011- The Showbox at the Market, Seattle, WA
14APR2011- The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA
And a warm up Philly date.
02APR2011 – TBA, Philadelphia, PA
February 21, 2011
Run Toto Run, More Manchester Goodness.
Run Toto Run is a Manchester based synth-pop three piece. Their songs are also really catchy. Take a listen.
Run Toto Run ‘This Is A Lull’ by friendsoffrenetics
For some videos click for (more…)
February 19, 2011
William Fitzsimmons set to play the Oswego Indie Series
William Fitzsimmons, a singer songwriter who has spent time as a mental health professional (seriously) is set to headline the Oswego Indie Series Friday March 25th. Also playing are the Scarlet Ending and Matt Pfeifer. Fitzsimmons won the itunes award for best folk album in 2008 with his album “The Sparrow and the Crow”. This is sure to be a great show, so if you’re in the CNY area, stop by. If you see a fellow wearing a robot tie, say “hi”, ’cause I’ll be there.
High Highs Celebrate “Open Season”
Open Season from High Highs on Vimeo.
Some nice cinematography going on here.
Flowers Bloom by highhighsband
Green Screening Presents “Lion”!
Green Screening – Soft Black from Drew Norton on Vimeo.
Some great use of green screen here, literally. You think they shot a video in a field with a lion?
